Today in History

Federal authorities arrest Timothy McVeigh in connection with the Oklahoma City bombing.

The last South Vietnam president, Nguyen Van Thieu, resigns.

Pfc. Milton Lee Olive is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for bravery during the Vietnam War.

The French army revolts in Algeria.

Brasilia becomes the capital of Brazil.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces that several Doolittle pilots have been executed by Japanese.

Elaine May, comedy writer.

Elizabeth II, queen of England.

John Mortimer, British barrister and playwright (Rumpole of the Bailey).

German fighter ace Baron von Richthofen, “The Red Baron,” is shot down and killed.

Bill Carlisle, the infamous ‘last train robber,’ robs a train in Hanna, Wyoming.

U.S. Marines occupy Vera Cruz, Mexico. They will stay six months.

Marcel Camus, French film director (Black Orpheus).

Mark Twain dies at the age of 75.

Rollo May, psychologist.

The Spanish-American War begins.

Abraham Lincoln‘s funeral train leaves Washington.

Max Weber, German sociologist and political economist.

Congress establishes the U.S. Mint.

Oscar Hertwig, embryologist.

John Muir, naturalist.

General Sam Houston defeats Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. Texas wins independence from Mexico.

Charlotte Bronte, novelist (Jane Eyre).

Friedrich Froebel, founder of kindergarten.

William III and Mary II are crowned joint king and queen of England, Scotland and Ireland.

The Maryland Toleration Act is passed, allowing all people freedom of worship.

Mongol Emperor Babur annihilates the Indian Army of Ibrahim Lodi.

Traditional date of the foundation of Rome.

Marcus Antonius is defeated by Octavian near Modena, Italy.