September 5th, 2008

Today in History

2002:
The Sour Biscuit Fire in Oregon and northern California, United States, which burned 499,570 acres (2,020 km²), is finally contained.

1984:
1984 - Western Australia becomes the last Australian state to abolish capital punishment.

1970:
Vietnam War: Operation Jefferson Glenn begins: the United States 101st Airborne Division and the South Vietnamese 1st Infantry Division initiate a new operation in Thua Thien Province.

1948:
Robert Schuman becomes Prime Minister of France.

1698:
In an effort to move his people away from Asiatic customs, Tsar Peter I of Russia imposes a tax on beards; All men except priests and peasants, are required to pay a tax of one hundred rubles a year and the commoners had to pay one kopek each.