Historical Events tagged with "oak ridge"

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.

Science & Technology

Naming Ceremony for Tennessine Element

January 27th, 2017 8 years ago

A ceremony was held in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to officially name the chemical element tennessine, after the state of Tennessee. Researchers and nuclear physicists gathered to honor the contributions of Tennessee's scientific community in the discovery of this recently confirmed element. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts of various laboratories involved in the element's synthesis, showcasing the importance of scientific research and teamwork in modern chemistry.

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Science & Technology

Mercury Pollution Document Declassified

May 17th, 1983 41 years ago

The U.S. Department of Energy declassified documents revealing the world's largest mercury pollution event in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The documents indicated that approximately 4.2 million pounds of mercury were released into the environment, due to years of industrial activities. This revelation was a response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the Appalachian Observer, highlighting the significant environmental and public health implications of such pollution.

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Crime & Law

Hijacking of Southern Airways Flight 49

November 10th, 1972 52 years ago

Southern Airways Flight 49 was hijacked while flying from Birmingham, Alabama, to receive a ransom from authorities. The hijackers threatened to crash the plane into the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a nuclear facility, creating panic. After two tense days in the air, the plane ultimately landed in Havana, Cuba, where Fidel Castro's government arrested the hijackers, avoiding a potential disaster in the U.S.

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