Historical Events tagged with "oregon"

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.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Emergency Landing of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

January 5th, 2024 1 years ago

Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport following the loss of a door plug during flight. Fortunately, there were no fatalities among the 174 passengers and crew onboard. The incident prompted immediate scrutiny around the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX fleet, leading to regulatory action and renewed concerns over the manufacturer's adherence to safety protocols in aircraft design and production.

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Crime & Law

Gunman Opens Fire at Oregon Community College

October 1st, 2015 9 years ago

A gunman opened fire at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, killing nine individuals and injuring several others. The shooter, identified as Chris Harper-Mercer, began his assault in a classroom and targeted victims based on their responses to questions about their religion. This violent incident took place during the early hours of the school day, shocking the local community and raising national discussions about gun control and campus safety.

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Sports & Recreation

Ashton Eaton sets decathlon world record

June 23rd, 2012 12 years ago

Ashton Eaton achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the decathlon world record at the United States Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. With an astounding total of 9,039 points, Eaton showcased his versatility and athletic prowess across ten track and field events. His achievement was not only monumental for his career but also established him as a leading contender for the upcoming London Olympics, elevating expectations around the decathlon event.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Oregon Supreme Court Nullifies Same-Sex Marriages

April 14th, 2005 19 years ago

The Oregon Supreme Court ruled that marriage licenses granted to same-sex couples by Multnomah County a year earlier were invalid. The court’s decision stemmed from a legal challenge, asserting that these licenses breached the state's constitutional definition of marriage. The ruling was significant for the LGBTQ+ community, impacting the already evolving conversation about marriage equality in the United States.

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Natural Disasters

Severe Flooding in Willamette Valley, Oregon

February 6th, 1996 29 years ago

In early February, the Willamette Valley experienced unprecedented flooding that caused over $500 million in property damage across the Pacific Northwest. Heavy rainfall combined with melting snow from the Cascade Range led to swollen rivers and widespread inundation. The city of Portland and surrounding areas were particularly hard-hit, with many communities facing evacuations and significant infrastructural disruption. Emergency services were deployed to manage aid and recovery efforts, addressing both the immediate needs of residents and longer-term impacts on the region's economy.

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Technology & Innovation

Launch of WikiWikiWeb by Ward Cunningham

March 25th, 1995 29 years ago

Ward Cunningham made the WikiWikiWeb, the first wiki, public, enabling collaborative web editing. This innovation allowed users to easily create and edit web pages collectively, fostering a new way of sharing information online. The project was part of the Portland Pattern Repository, designed to showcase patterns in software design. The Wiki established the foundation for future wikis and online collaborative platforms.

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Accidents & Tragedies

United Airlines Flight 173 crashes in residential area

December 28th, 1978 46 years ago

United Airlines Flight 173, a McDonnell Douglas DC-8, crashed into a residential neighborhood near Portland International Airport while attempting to land. A total of ten people died, including eight passengers and two crew members. The aircraft experienced a malfunction in its landing gear, leading to a prolonged flight to troubleshoot the issue. After running low on fuel, the crew attempted an emergency landing but lost control of the aircraft. The tragedy served to highlight the critical importance of cockpit resource management and communication.

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Accidents & Tragedies

The Exploding Whale Incident of Florence

November 12th, 1970 54 years ago

In a peculiar attempt to remove a decaying sperm whale that had washed ashore near Florence, Oregon, the Oregon Highway Division decided to use explosives. Their plan was to scatter the whale's remains far enough from the beach to avoid attracting scavengers. The operation involved placing several half-ton blocks of dynamite on the carcass, which resulted in an unexpected and dramatic explosion. While parts of the whale were indeed blown away, they rained down on cars and property, creating chaos and drawing considerable attention.

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Accidents & Tragedies

West Coast Airlines Flight 956 DC-9 Crash in Oregon

October 1st, 1966 58 years ago

West Coast Airlines Flight 956, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9, crashed on the outskirts of Salem, Oregon, with no survivors aboard. The flight was en route from Portland to Sacramento when it encountered severe weather conditions, leading to loss of control. The aircraft went down near the Santiam River, resulting in a catastrophic event that marked the first loss of a DC-9 in aviation history. Emergency responders arrived but found no survivors among the 35 passengers and crew.

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