December 22nd, 2009

Today in History

1988:
Chico Mendes, a Brazilian rubber tapper, unionist and environmental activist, was assassinated.

1984:
Subway vigilante Bernhard Hugo Goetz shoots four African-American youths on an express train in The Bronx borough of New York City.

1963:
Cruise ship Lakonia burns 180 miles north of Madeira with the loss of 128 lives.

1910:
Chicago Union Stock Yards Fire, 21 firemen were killed.

1809:
The Non-Intercourse Act, lifting the Embargo Act except for the United Kingdom and France, passes the U.S. Congress.