Oil prices reached over $100 US Dollars (USD) a barrel for the first time. (2008) The soaring prices led to a supply problem in the US, and many people were seen waiting for hours just to get a tank of gas. Many stations ran out of gas entirely, prompting violence in some cities.
The kidnapper of the Lindberg baby went on trial. (1935) The kidnapping and murder of aviator Charles Lindberg's son had attracted a media frenzy. Bruno Hauptmann, the man responsible, was convicted of the kidnapping and murder and was executed.
John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for president. (1960) Kennedy was a Senator from Massachusetts at the time. He went on to become one of the most well-known and beloved US Presidents before his assassination in 1963.
Members of the Duquesne spy ring were convicted. (1942) The German spy ring, led by Fritz Duquesne, was one of the largest in US history. Ring members were placed in strategic jobs in the US to learn secrets and pass on information to Germany. The FBI spent nearly two years engaged in counter-espionage before finally capturing the group.
US President Nixon created a national speed limit. (1974) In the face of an OPEC embargo, and mounting concerns about the environment, Nixon set the national speed limit at 55 mph (88 kph).
Famous soprano Maria Callas walked out of a performance. (1958) Known for her volatile and dramatic personal life as much as her singing, Callas walked out after the first act of Norma in Rome, claiming illness. Most of Rome's high society was there at the performance, as well as the president of Italy.
More than 6,000 US citizens were arrested on the suspicion of being Communists. (1920) This was part of a series of raids by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer to try to root out communism and anarchy from America. The 6,000 people arrested were held without trial before Palmer was replaced with a more lenient Attorney General.
The first female White House staff member began work. (1890) Alice Sanger was hired as a stenographer for President Benjamin Harrison. Sanger was the first woman to work a non-domestic service job in the White House, and her appointment was thought to be an olive branch to the growing suffragist movement.
The last Moorish stronghold in Spain fell. (1492) Known as the Reconquista, this marked the first time in about 700 years that Spain had been entirely under the control of the Spanish.
The Yorkshire Ripper was caught. (1981) One of the most famous serial killers in Britain, Peter Sutcliffe killed at least 13 women. The search for the Yorkshire Ripper went on for five years before Sutcliffe was finally arrested. Police had actually interviewed him nine times during the investigation, but he had convinced them that he wasn't involved.
I don't know about anyone else, but for the most part, when I read these articles and tidbits, one thing that I find to be most interesting are the topics on serial killers.
Yes, they're terrifying, but in a way, they're also fascinating. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder what causes them to do what they do, and how they're able to get away with it for such long periods of time. Most "normal" people would end up making stupid mistakes, and end up getting arrested right on the spot. After all, don't forget that you can be traced from anywhere in the world.
The last bullet point discussed is a very good example of this. Not only was this serial killer able to evade the authorities for more than five years, but even more so, he was somehow able to convince them that he wasn't even involved.
I'm not sure what tactics he used, but that definitely requires some good skill and manipulation. However, I do wonder what became of him after he convinced them he was innocent. Did he basically continue his rampage?
Euroxati
In relation to the third to last bullet point, I definitely think it's interesting that the no females were allowed to be members of the White House until 1890.
Does anyone know what allowed one to even be in the White House? After all, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that back in the 1800's, women had far less rights than men did, if they even had rights to begin with. However, based on my perspective, here's how I see it.
Considering how she was the first female in the White House, I guess one can say that it was simply a step in the right direction. After all, no matter what the cost is, nothing happens overnight, and the rights of women certainly didn't.
If anything, Alice Sanger was meant to show how even though women still had a long way to go in terms of having rights (and lack of them), it was also bound to come sooner than most people thought.
After all, in this day and age, just imagine how many rights women wouldn't have if no one decided to stand up for how they were being unfairly treated.
Chmander
Whether it's a coincidence or not, I'm not surprised that oil prices became so high by 2008. In fact, it's also no surprise to me that it led to so many gas problems in the U.S.
After all, just look at some of the prices that we have to deal with in this day and age. However, I'm also starting to wonder if the gas prices have gone down in the recent years. Based on my personal experience, it definitely seems like they have.
Using one example, a few years ago, I was at the gas station, and the price was very close to four dollars. However, no more than a few weeks ago, I was also at a gas station, and for some reason, the prices were no more than two dollars. I was a little suspicious, so I decided to go to a different, as it definitely seemed to good to be true.
After all, just because something is cheaper, doesn't always mean that it's going to be better, quite the opposite in fact. Not to mention that I've recently heard that some stations are trying to use cheaper gas as a means to save money. Overall, it's definitely something interesting to think about.
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Discussion Comments
I don't know about anyone else, but for the most part, when I read these articles and tidbits, one thing that I find to be most interesting are the topics on serial killers.
Yes, they're terrifying, but in a way, they're also fascinating. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder what causes them to do what they do, and how they're able to get away with it for such long periods of time. Most "normal" people would end up making stupid mistakes, and end up getting arrested right on the spot. After all, don't forget that you can be traced from anywhere in the world.
The last bullet point discussed is a very good example of this. Not only was this serial killer able to evade the authorities for more than five years, but even more so, he was somehow able to convince them that he wasn't even involved.
I'm not sure what tactics he used, but that definitely requires some good skill and manipulation. However, I do wonder what became of him after he convinced them he was innocent. Did he basically continue his rampage?
In relation to the third to last bullet point, I definitely think it's interesting that the no females were allowed to be members of the White House until 1890.
Does anyone know what allowed one to even be in the White House? After all, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that back in the 1800's, women had far less rights than men did, if they even had rights to begin with. However, based on my perspective, here's how I see it.
Considering how she was the first female in the White House, I guess one can say that it was simply a step in the right direction. After all, no matter what the cost is, nothing happens overnight, and the rights of women certainly didn't.
If anything, Alice Sanger was meant to show how even though women still had a long way to go in terms of having rights (and lack of them), it was also bound to come sooner than most people thought.
After all, in this day and age, just imagine how many rights women wouldn't have if no one decided to stand up for how they were being unfairly treated.
Whether it's a coincidence or not, I'm not surprised that oil prices became so high by 2008. In fact, it's also no surprise to me that it led to so many gas problems in the U.S.
After all, just look at some of the prices that we have to deal with in this day and age. However, I'm also starting to wonder if the gas prices have gone down in the recent years. Based on my personal experience, it definitely seems like they have.
Using one example, a few years ago, I was at the gas station, and the price was very close to four dollars. However, no more than a few weeks ago, I was also at a gas station, and for some reason, the prices were no more than two dollars. I was a little suspicious, so I decided to go to a different, as it definitely seemed to good to be true.
After all, just because something is cheaper, doesn't always mean that it's going to be better, quite the opposite in fact. Not to mention that I've recently heard that some stations are trying to use cheaper gas as a means to save money. Overall, it's definitely something interesting to think about.
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