This Day in History – May 22, 2011

0012 -BC- A daytime meteor shower, possibly Zeta Perseid observed in China 1570 1st atlas, with 70 maps, published 1761 1st life insurance policy in US, issued in Philadelphia 1803 1st public library opens (Connecticut) 1807 Former Vice President Aaron Burr is tried for treason in Richmond VA (acquitted) 1807 Townsend Speakman 1st sells fruit-flavored carbonated drinks (Philadelphia) 1843 1st wagon train, 1000+ departs Independence MO for Oregon 1849 Abraham Lincoln patents a buoying device 1856 Violence in Senate, South Carolina Representative Brooks used a cane on Massachusetts Senator Sumner 1863 General Grant begins siege on Vicksburg 1863 War Department establishes Bureau of Colored Troops 1868 Great Train Robbery; 7 men (Reno Brothers) make off with $98,000 in cash 1872 Amnesty Act restores civil rights to Southerners (except for 500) 1884 1-armed pitcher Hugh Daily fanned 13 hitters 1888 Leroy Buffington patents a system to build skyscrapers 1891 1st motion picture shown to National Federation of Women’s Clubs 1892 Dr Washington Sheffield invents toothpaste tube 1906 Wright Brothers patent an aeroplane 1931 Canned rattlesnake meat 1st goes on sale in Florida 1933 Loch Ness Monster is 1st reportedly sighted by John Mackay 1933 World Trade Day/National Maritime Day 1st celebrated 1939 Hitler & Mussolini sign “Pact of Steel” 1940 Prime Minister Winston Churchill flies to Paris 1943 1st jet fighter is tested 1953 President Eisenhower signs Offshore Oil Bill 1956 “Bob Hope Show” last airs on NBC-TV 1961 1st revolving restaurant (Top Of The Space Needle in Seattle), opens 1963 Mickey Mantle hits a ball off Yankee Stadium’s facade 1964 LBJ presents “Great Society” 1965 “Super-cali-fragil-istic-expi-ali-docious” hits #66 1967 “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” debuts on NET (now PBS) 1972 US President Nixon begins visit in Moscow 1973 President Nixon confesses his role in Watergate cover-up 1991 NFL Owners agree to add 2 teams in 1994 1992 Johnny Carson’s final appearance as host of the Tonight Show]]]]> ]]>