Historical Events tagged with "new jersey"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Entertainment

Welles Radio Adaptation Sparks Nationwide Panic

October 30th, 1938 86 years ago

Orson Welles, an American actor and director, broadcast a live radio adaptation of H. G. Wells's science fiction novel, The War of the Worlds. The dramatic presentation aired on October 30, 1938, over CBS radio, and was presented as a series of news bulletins that suggested a Martian invasion was underway in New Jersey. Many listeners, unaware it was fictional, believed the broadcast to be real, leading to widespread panic and confusion across the United States.

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Exploration & Discovery

Howard Hughes Sets New World Flight Record

July 10th, 1938 86 years ago

Howard Hughes embarked on a groundbreaking 91-hour flight around the globe in the Lockheed 14 Super Electra. Departing from Newark, New Jersey, on July 10, 1938, Hughes aimed to showcase advancements in aviation and push the limits of commercial flight. He returned to the same airport on July 14, completing the journey with only brief stops for refueling, thus setting a new record for circumnavigating the Earth by air.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Lincoln Tunnel Opens Traffic Between New Jersey and NYC

December 22nd, 1937 87 years ago

The Lincoln Tunnel opened to traffic, linking New Jersey and New York City. The project was designed to alleviate congestion and improve commuting. It features three vehicular tubes and has become a crucial transit route. Celebrations marked the event, with many eager drivers testing the new passage.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Hindenburg Zeppelin Fire at Lakehurst

May 6th, 1937 87 years ago

The Hindenburg, a German passenger airship, caught fire while attempting to dock at Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey. Just moments after the crew began to maneuver the ship into position, a fire broke out, quickly engulfing the aircraft in flames. The disaster marked a critical moment in aviation history, resulting in the loss of 36 lives and raising questions about the safety of airship travel.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Howard Hughes Breaks Transcontinental Flight Record

January 19th, 1937 88 years ago

Howard Hughes sets a remarkable record flying from Los Angeles to New York City in just seven hours, 28 minutes, and 25 seconds. This impressive feat was achieved aboard the H-1 Racer, a highly advanced aircraft designed specifically for speed. Hughes's record-breaking flight captured the imagination of the American public and showcased advancements in aviation technology. As he touched down in New York, the event highlighted not only his skill as a pilot but also the growing importance of air travel in connecting the nation.

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Crime & Law

Bruno Hauptmann Executed for Lindbergh Kidnapping

April 3rd, 1936 88 years ago

Bruno Richard Hauptmann was executed for the kidnapping and death of Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., the child of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. His trial captivated the nation and was marked by sensational media coverage and public outcry. Hauptmann, sentenced to death, was executed in New Jersey’s electric chair. The case highlighted issues of justice and the media's role in legal proceedings, as it drew both national and international attention.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Formation of the Committee for Industrial Organization

November 9th, 1935 89 years ago

In Atlantic City, New Jersey, eight trade unions established the Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO), aiming to represent the industrial workforce within the American Federation of Labor. The CIO sought to enhance labor rights and improve working conditions through collective bargaining and organized strikes. This initiative marked a pivotal shift in labor organization tactics, as it prioritized industrial unions over craft-based unions, emphasizing solidarity among workers across various industries.

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Science & Technology

First Public FM Broadcasting Demonstration

June 11th, 1935 89 years ago

In Alpine, New Jersey, inventor Edwin Armstrong showcased frequency modulation (FM) broadcasting for the first time in public. This demonstration highlighted the superior sound quality of FM compared to AM radio, capturing the attention of industry experts. Armstrong's pioneering work aimed to improve radio communication and set a foundation for future advancements in broadcasting technology.

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Crime & Law

Guilty Verdict in Lindbergh Baby Case

February 13th, 1935 90 years ago

Bruno Hauptmann was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering the Lindbergh baby, Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., the son of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh and his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh. The two-year-long saga captivated the nation, starting with the child's abduction from the family's home in Hopewell, New Jersey, in 1932. The trial revealed extensive evidence, including physical evidence from the scene linked to Hauptmann, leading to a swift decision by the jury in Flemington. The verdict was delivered after just over 13 hours of deliberation.

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