The Space Needle is an observation tower in Seattle, Washington
opened on April 21, 1962 to a crowd of fair goers for the Seattle
World’s Fair which drew over 2.3 million visitors.
Considered to be an icon of the city, the Space Needle was once
the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River, standing at
605 feet.
During the Texan War for Independence, the Texas militia under
Sam Houston launched a surprise attack against the forces of
Mexican General Santa Anna along the San Jacinto River.
The Mexicans were thoroughly defeated, and hundreds were
taken prisoner, including General Santa Anna himself.
Battle was reportedly won in 18 minutes by a Texas militia
numbering 910.
Gen. Santa Anna
(21 February 1794 – 21 June 1876)
William McKinley (January 29, 1843 – September 14, 1901)
On this day in history, April 20, 1898, President William McKinley
asked Congress to declare war on Spain.
The declaration requested by the 25th U.S. president was in
response to an ongoing conflict between Spain and Cuba, the
latter located less 100 miles off the coast of Florida, as that
island country struggled for independence from Spain.
The U.S. Office of the Historian said on April 20, Congress
passed a joint resolution that acknowledged Cuban
independence.
Congress also authorized McKinley to use whatever military
measures he deemed necessary to guarantee Cuba’s
independence, the U.S. Office of the Historian noted.
Douglas MacArthur (26 January 1880 – 5 April 1964)
Gen. Douglas MacArthur delivered his farewell address to
Congress on this day in history, April 19, 1951, uttering the
famous line, "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."
Eight days before the speech, MacArthur had been relieved
of his duties as general of the U.S. Army by President Harry
S. Truman — putting an end to his storied military career.
President Harry S Truman (left) relieved General
Douglas MacArthur (right) as commander of
United Nations forces in Korea on April 11, 1951.
