August 22nd, 2008

Today in History

1992:
FBI HRT sniper Lon Horiuchi shoots and kills Vicki Weaver during an 11-day siege at her home at Ruby Ridge, Idaho.

1988:
The Australian koala, the first platinum coin, is issued

1953:
The jail on Devil's Island is closed

1775:
King George III declares the American colonies to be in open rebellion

1654:
Jacob Barsimson arrives in New Amsterdam. He is the first Jewish immigrant to what is later the United States