November 21st, 2008

Today in History

1979:
The United States Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan is attacked by a mob and set afire, killing four. (see: Foreign relations of Pakistan)

1970:
A joint Air Force and Army team raids the Son Tay prison camp in an attempt to free American POWs thought to be held there (there were zero Americans killed, but the prisoners had already moved to another camp; All US POWs were moved to a handful of central prison complexes as a result of this raid).

1922:
Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia takes the oath of office, becoming the first woman United States Senator.

1861:
American Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis appoints Judah Benjamin secretary of war.

1789:
North Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution and is admitted as the 12th U.S. state.