September 8th, 2008

Today in History

1971:
In Washington, DC, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is inaugurated, with the opening feature being the premiere of Leonard Bernstein's Mass.

1954:
The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) is established.

1930:
1930 - 3M begins marketing Scotch transparent tape.

1810:
The Tonquin sets sail from New York Harbor with 33 employees of John Jacob Astor's newly created Pacific Fur Company on board. After a six-month journey around the tip of South America, the ship arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River and Astor's men established fur-trading town of Astoria, Oregon.

1727:
A barn fire during a puppet show in the village of Burwell in Cambs, UK kills 78 people, many of whom are children