December 4th, 2008

Today in History

1921:
The Virginia Rappe manslaughter trial against actor and film director Roscoe Arbuckle ends in a hung jury.

1872:
The crewless American ship Mary Celeste is found by the British brig Dei Gratia (the ship was abandoned for 9 days but was only slightly damaged).

1674:
Father Jacques Marquette founds a mission on the shores of Lake Michigan to minister to the Illinois Indians (the mission would later grow into the city of Chicago, Illinois).

1967:
Vietnam War: US and South Vietnamese forces engage Viet Cong troops in the Mekong Delta (235 of the 300-strong Viet Cong battalion were killed).

771:
Austrasian King Carloman dies, leaving his brother Charlemagne king of the now complete Frank kingdom.