January 7th, 2009

Today in History

1990:
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is closed to the public due to safety concerns.

1980:
President Jimmy Carter authorizes legislation giving $1.5 billion in loans to bail out Chrysler Corporation.

1975:
OPEC agrees to raise crude oil prices by 10%.

1911:
Mary Pickford marries Owen Moore.

1785:
Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries travel from Dover, England to Calais, France in a gas balloon, becoming the first to cross the English Channel by air.