Historical Events tagged with "supermarket"

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.

Accidents & Tragedies

Massive Supermarket Fire in Asunción, Paraguay

August 1st, 2004 20 years ago

A devastating fire broke out in a supermarket in Asunción, resulting in 396 deaths and injuries to 500 others. The blaze occurred during a busy shopping day and trapped many customers inside. Emergency services faced challenges in controlling the fire, exacerbated by the store's design. Victims were mostly shoppers and employees, and the tragedy highlighted severe safety and regulatory failures in public buildings.

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Crime & Law

ETA Bombing at Hipercor Supermarket

June 19th, 1987 37 years ago

A catastrophic bombing at Hipercor supermarket in Barcelona claimed the lives of 21 individuals and left 45 others injured. The Basque separatist group, ETA, carried out the attack, escalating its violent campaign for independence. The bombing created widespread panic, and the emergency response highlighted the vulnerabilities in urban security measures during a time of political turmoil in Spain.

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Science & Technology

First Universal Product Code Scanned

June 26th, 1974 50 years ago

The Universal Product Code (UPC) was scanned for the first time to sell a pack of Wrigley's chewing gum at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. This marked a pivotal moment in retail history as it enabled automated checkout systems and better inventory management for stores. The introduction of the UPC simplified the shopping experience and greatly enhanced checkout efficiency, setting the stage for the modern grocery shopping experience.

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