On this day in 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and White House
chief of staff H.R. Haldeman discussed a plan to use the CIA to
obstruct the FBI’s Watergate investigation. A tape recording of this meeting between the two men in the Oval Officebecame known as
the “Smoking Gun” tape.
President Richard Nixon (seated) meeting with Chief of Staff H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman in the White House.
On this day in 1940, Adolf Hitler (center) visits Paris after France falls
to Nazi Germany.
It was on this day in 1995 when Dr. Jonas Salk died from heart
failure.
TIME Magazine Cover: Dr. Jonas Salk — Mar. 29, 1954.
Jonas Edward Salk (October 28, 1914 – June 23, 1995)
In her later years, Smith was impaired by diabetes. In 1976, she suffered brain damage after slipping into a diabetic coma. In January 1986, Kate’s right leg was amputated due to poor circulation caused by diabetes. Five months later, she underwent a mastectomy. On June 17, 1986, Smith died of respiratory arrest at Raleigh Community Hospital in Raleigh at the age of 79.
On this day in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled for school integration in Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka. The ruling declared that racially segregated schools were inherently unequal.
The U.S. Senate Watergate Committee began its hearings on this day in 1973. Sen. Sam Ervin (center) was the chairman of the Investigating Committee
On this day in 1792, the New York Stock Exchange was founded at 70 Wall Street by 24 brokers.
The actual Buttonwood Agreement is shown on the right. The New York Stock Exchange traces its origins to this historic document.
The first Kentucky Derby was held at what would become known as Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. on this day in 1875.
Winning the race was Oliver Lewis riding the horse named Aristides with a time of 2 min 37 seconds. The purse at that time was said to be $2,850.
On this day in 1992, rioting began after a jury decision to acquit four Los Angeles policemen (below) in the Rodney King beating trial. A total of 54 people were killed in 3 days.
Rodney King, central figure in L.A. riots.
On this day in 1945, the Nazi death camp, Dachau, was liberated and on the same day in a bunker in Berlin, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun (below) were married.
President Nixon announced he was releasing edited transcripts of secretly made White House tape recordings related to the Watergate scandal.
Jerome Allen "Jerry" Seinfeld is 64 years old today. He was born in Brooklyn, New York.
Stand-up comedian, producer, actor, and writer Jerry Seinfeld co-created and starred in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld, which became one of the most popular television comedies of all time, winning ten Emmy Awards during its run which began in 1989 and aired for nine seasons. In 2012, he began the internet comedy series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, where he chats with other comedians.
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974)
One of the jazz worlds most influential figures. He led his famed orchestra from 1923 until his death. He called his music American Music, not jazz. He helped compose more than 1,000 original pieces, many of which became standards. Ellington was called Duke by his friends growing up because his suave sophistication reminded them of a nobleman.
President George W. Bush announced that U.S. forces had launched a strike against "targets of military opportunity" in Iraq. The attack, using cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs, were aimed at Iraqi leaders thought to be near Baghdad.
On this day in 1987, Televangelist Jim Bakker, shown with wife Tammy Faye, resigned from the PTL due to a scandal involving model Jessica Hahn (below).
Jim Bakker turned 78 January 2.
Jessica Hahn will be 59 July 7.
The state of Nevada legalized gambling on this day in 1931.
Bob Dylan released his self-titled debut studio album on this day in 1962. It was produced by Columbia’s legendary talent scout John H. Hammond, who signed Dylan to the label, the album features folk standards, plus two original compositions, "Talkin’ New York" and "Song to Woody".
Bob Dylan(Robert Allen Zimmerman) will be 77 on May 24.
