2003—It’s the largest demonstration in history—up to ten million people, in 600 cities around the world, say “No” to Bush 43’s Iraq War.
1989—After just a little over nine years in-country, quick-thinking Soviets pull out of Afghanistan.
1988—Environmentalists, supporting striking workers, storm Int’l. Paper’s Jay, Maine plant 10 days after scabs create a huge chlorine leak.
1978—On his first day at the Hillsboro, N.H. Messenger, our current editor is told, “Get over to Henniker; last night the cop shop was fire-bombed.”
1973—Nixon to Joint Chiefs: POWs’ return is “an invaluable opportunity to revise the history of this War.”
1966—In place of Senate hearings on the Vietnam War, CBS shows reruns of “I Love Lucy.” Fred Friendly, President of CBS News, quits in disgust.
1962—“I support [JFK] to the hilt [in Vietnam],” says R. Nixon, “I only hope he will step up the build-up….”
1944—Allies bomb the 6th c. monastery at Monte Cassino. Nazis had removed its historic treasures to the Vatican in trucks accompanied by monks, but 230 Italian civilians in its cellars are killed by falling rubble.
1898—The battleship USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana harbor.
1798—Congress did nothing after Rep. Matthew Lyon spit tobacco juice in his eye, so Rep. Roger Griswold canes the ex-newspaper editor. Lyon defends himself with fire tongs.