December 2nd, 2008

Today in History

1970:
The United States Environmental Protection Agency begins operations.

1962:
Vietnam War: After a trip to Vietnam at the request of US President John F. Kennedy, US Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield becomes the first American official to not make an optimistic public comment on the war's progress.

1899:
Philippine-American War: The Battle of Tirad Pass, termed "The Filipino Thermopylae", is fought.

1859:
Militant abolitionist leader John Brown is hanged for his October 16th raid on Harper's Ferry.

1848:
Franz Josef I becomes Emperor of Austria.