September 7th, 2008

Today in History

1999:
A major earthquake close to Athens, Greece, results to the collapse of few buildings in the area. About 150 people are killed.

1997:
The first test flight of the F/A-22 Raptor takes place.

1876:
In Northfield, Minnesota, Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang attempt to rob the town's bank but are surrounded by an angry mob and are nearly killed.

1821:
The Republic of Gran Colombia (a federation covering much of presentday Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador) was established, with Simón Bolívar as the founding President and Francisco de Paula Santander as vice president.

1776:
World's first submarine attack. The American submersible craft Turtle attempts to attach a time bomb to the hull of British Admiral Richard Howe's flagship Eagle in New York Harbor.