Historical Events tagged with "usa"

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.

Natural Disasters

Tropical Storm Allison Floods Houston

June 5th, 2001 23 years ago

Tropical Storm Allison made landfall on the upper-Texas coastline, becoming a strong tropical storm that resulted in excessive rainfall over Houston. The storm's persistent downpours led to unprecedented flooding and extensive damages, amounting to $5.5 billion. This catastrophic event made Allison the second costliest tropical storm in United States history, affecting thousands of residents and prompting significant responses from emergency services.

Continue Reading
Transportation & Infrastructure

Driverless Train Travels 66 Miles in Ohio

May 15th, 2001 23 years ago

A CSX EMD SD40-2 locomotive rolled out of a train yard in Walbridge, Ohio, pulling 47 freight cars, including tank cars loaded with flammable chemicals. The incident occurred after the engineer failed to reboard the train following the setting of a yard switch. The runaway train traveled driverless for 66 miles (106 km) before being stopped near Kenton, Ohio. This unusual event highlights vulnerabilities in railroad operations.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Gulfstream III Crash Near Aspen Airport

March 29th, 2001 23 years ago

A Gulfstream III aircraft crashed during its approach to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport while attempting to land. All 18 passengers and crew members on board were killed upon impact. The accident prompted investigations into the aircraft's condition and the circumstances leading up to the crash, including weather conditions and pilot performance. The crash raised concerns over aviation safety protocols in mountainous regions.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

Diane Whipple Killed in Dog Attack in San Francisco

January 26th, 2001 24 years ago

Diane Whipple, a lacrosse coach, was fatally attacked by two dogs owned by her neighbors, Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel, in San Francisco. The incident occurred as Whipple was returning home. The attack drew significant media attention and raised questions about dog ownership laws. Following Whipple's death, a high-profile court case ensued, which ultimately clarified the legal standards regarding implied malice murder in the context of pet ownership.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

DEA Uncovers Major LSD Lab in Kansas Silo

November 7th, 2000 24 years ago

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration discovered one of the largest LSD labs in the U.S. inside a converted military missile silo in Wamego, Kansas. This significant operation involved a sophisticated hidden lab where large quantities of LSD were being manufactured. The DEA's investigation revealed a series of elaborate processes that had been put in place to ensure the secrecy and efficiency of the drug production. The significant scale of the lab's unlawful activities drew national attention and underscored ongoing concerns regarding the illicit drug trade in America.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

Southwest Airlines Flight 1763 Air Rage Incident

August 11th, 2000 24 years ago

A 19-year-old named Jonathan Burton attempted to storm the cockpit of Southwest Airlines Flight 1763. During the flight, he exhibited erratic behavior which led to a confrontation. Other passengers intervened, but unfortunately, after being subdued, Burton sustained injuries and passed away. This incident raised questions about airline security measures and passenger behavior.

Continue Reading
Exploration & Discovery

Raising of the H.L. Hunley Submarine

August 8th, 2000 24 years ago

The H.L. Hunley, a Confederate submarine, was raised from the ocean floor after lying submerged for 136 years. Discovered by undersea explorer E. Lee Spence nearly 30 years prior, the raising of the Hunley marked a significant moment in maritime archaeology. The submarine was found off the coast of South Carolina and is notable for being the first combat submarine to successfully sink a ship during the Civil War. Recovering the Hunley involved extensive planning and was a remarkable achievement in underwater exploration.

Continue Reading
Science & Technology

GPS Access Opened to All Users Globally

May 2nd, 2000 24 years ago

President Bill Clinton announced a significant policy change regarding the Global Positioning System (GPS), stating that accurate GPS access would no longer be restricted to the United States military or government. This decision allowed civilian users worldwide to benefit from precise location data. The announcement was made at the White House, highlighting a shift towards greater accessibility in technology. This move aimed to advance various industries by integrating GPS technology into everyday applications for navigation, mapping, and data collection.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Phillips Petroleum Plant Explosion in Pasadena

March 27th, 2000 24 years ago

A significant explosion occurred at a Phillips Petroleum plant in Pasadena, Texas, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to 71 others. This incident, which was attributed to a gas leak, not only caused extensive property damage but also sparked major safety concerns regarding industrial practices in the area. Emergency services rushed to the scene to assist in the aftermath and provide care to those affected.

Continue Reading