Today in History

[Gunz]

January 10, 1901
Gusher signals start of U.S. oil industry

On this day in 1901, a drilling derrick at Spindletop Hill near Beaumont, Texas, produces an enormous gusher of crude oil, coating the landscape for hundreds of feet and signaling the advent of the American oil industry. The geyser was discovered at a depth of over 1,000 feet, flowed at an initial rate of approximately 100,000 barrels a day and took nine days to cap.

1946: First meeting of the United Nations

1843: Outlaw Frank James born in Missouri

1942: Ford makes Jeeps

[Krandall]

1757    American founding father Alexander Hamilton was born in the West Indies.

1805    The Michigan Territory was created.

1861    Alabama seceded from the Union.

1964    U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry issued the first government report saying smoking may be hazardous to one's health.

1973    Owners of American League baseball teams voted to adopt the designated-hitter rule.

1977    France set off an international uproar by releasing Abu Daoud, a Palestinian suspected of involvement in the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

2001    The Army acknowledged that U.S. soldiers killed an "unknown number" of South Korean refugees early in the Korean War at No Gun Ri.

2003    Calling the death penalty process "arbitrary and capricious, and therefore immoral," Illinois Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of 167 condemned inmates, clearing his state's death row two days before leaving office.

2007    English soccer star David Beckham announced a five-year deal to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

2008    Bank of America said it would buy Countrywide Financial for $4.1 billion in stock in a deal rescuing the country's biggest mortgage lender.

2008    Former Olympic track gold medalist Marion Jones was sentenced to six months in prison for lying to investigators about using performance-enhancing drugs and her role in a check-fraud scam.

2008    Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to conquer Mount Everest, died at age 88.

[Gunz]

January 11, 1908
Theodore Roosevelt makes Grand Canyon a national monument

On January 11, 1908, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt declares the massive Grand Canyon in northwestern Arizona a national monument.

1989: Reagan gives his farewell address

[funyun]

Slacking 

[Gunz]

January 17, 1950
Boston thieves pull off historic robbery

On this day in 1950, 11 men steal more than $2 million from the Brinks Armored Car depot in Boston, Massachusetts.

January 17, 1899
New land speed record is set
Camille Jenatzy captured the land speed record in an electric car of his own design: 41.425mph at Acheres Park, France. On the same day, however, previous record holder Gaston Chasseloup-Laubat raised the record again, posting a speed of 43.690mph in an electric Jeantaud automobile.

1949: German "Bug" invades America

January 17, 1949
The first TV sitcom debuts

The Goldbergs debuts on this day in 1949 as television's first situation comedy. The show ran until 1954.



January 17, 1916
PGA is formed

On January 17, 1916, a group of golf professionals and several leading amateur golfers gather at the Taplow Club in New York City, in a meeting that will result in the founding of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA).

[funyun]

Those are some pretty wicked fast speed records. Was that down hill?

[Krandall]

Not bad for pre-1900.

[funyun]

My huffy goes 45.12 mph 

[Peelz]

My huffy goes 45.12 mph 

and your mouth goes 90?

[funyun]

93.34 on a windy day

[Krandall]

tough guy.