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This Day In History: August 17th

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Communication
1859
A hot air balloon was used to carry mail for the first time. John Wise left Lafayette, IN for New York City with 100 letters. He had to land after only 27 miles.
 
Crime and Corruption
1991
At a shopping mall in Strathfield, Australia, a man killed seven people before killing himself. He had been armed with a rifle and a machete.
1993
Jack Kevorkian was charged in Wayne County, MI with assisting in the suicide of Thomas Hyde. Kevorkian was later acquitted.
1998
U.S. President Clinton admitted to having an improper relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern.
1998
The FBI announced that it was questioning a suspect concerning the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya on August 7th, 1998.
Defence
 
 
Disasters
1996
Hurricane Camille hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast killing 248 people.
1999
More than 15,000 people were killed in an earthquake in Turkey.
1996
A military cargo plane crashed in Wyoming killing eight crewmembers and a Secret Service employee. The plane was carrying gear for U.S. President Clinton.
Discovery
1896
The Klondike gold rush was set off by George Carmack discovering gold on Rabbit Creek in Alaska.
 
Education
1903
Joseph Pulitzer donated a million dollars to Columbia University. This started the Pulitzer Prizes in his name.
 
Film, Television and Radio
1939
The movie "Wizard of Oz" opened.
 
Heads of State
 
 
Health and Social Welfare
 
 
Industry
1985
A year-long strike began when 1,400 Geo. A. Hormel and Co. meat packers walked off the job.
 
Law
 
 
Motor Sport
 
 
People
1807
  Robert Fulton's "North River Steam Boat" (known as the "Clermont") began heading up New York's Hudson River on its successful round-trip to Albany.
1877
F.P. Cahill became the first person to be killed by "Billy the Kid."
1962
18-year-old Peter Fechter was killed by East German border guards when he attempted to cross the Berlin Wall into the western sector.
1978
Maxie Anderson, Ben Abruzzo and Larry Newman became the first to land after a successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight. The voyage began in Presque Isle, ME and ended in Miserey, France.
1987
Rudolph Hess died after apparently committing suicide. Hess was the last member of Adolf Hitler's inner circle.
1987
Maxie Anderson, Ben Abruzzo and Larry Newman became the first to land after a successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight. The voyage began in Presque Isle, ME and ended in Miserey, France.
1992
Woody Allen admitted to being romantically involved with Soon-Yi Previn. The girl was the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow, Allen's longtime companion.
Politics
1790
The capital city of the U.S. moved to Philadelphia from New York City.
1815
Napoleon began serving his exile when he arrived at the island of St. Helena.
1945
The nationalists of Indonesia declared their independence from the Netherlands.
1988
Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq and U.S. Ambassador Arnold Raphel were killed in a plane crash.
1996
Ross Perot was announced to be the Reform Party's presidential candidate. It was the party's first-ever candidate.
Publishing
 
 
Religion
 
 
Science
   
 
Sport
1894
John Wadsworth of Louisville set a major league record when he gave up 28 base hits in a single game.
1973
Lee Trevino got the first hole in one of his career at the U.S.I. Golf Classic, in Sutton, MA.
Technology
1835
Solyman Merrick patented the wrench.
1915
Charles F. Kettering patented the electric, automobile self-starter.
The Arts
2002
In Santa Rosa, CA, the Charles M. Schulz Museum opened to the public.
 
The Environment
 
 
The Law
 
 
The Workforce
1961
The Communist East German government completed the construction of the Berlin Wall.
 
Trade and Economy
1977
Florists Transworld Delivery (FTD) reported that in one day the number of orders for flowers to be delivered to Graceland had surpassed the number for any other event in the company's history.
1998
Nations Bank and BankAmerica merge to create the largest U.S. bank.
1998
Russia devalued the ruble.
Transport
 
 
War
1863
Federal batteries and ships bombarded Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC, harbor during the Civil War.
1943
The Allied conquest of Sicily was completed as U.S. and British forces entered Messina.
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