This Day in History

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May 6, 1840

The Penny Black postage stamp becomes valid for use in the United Kingdom.

1861

Arkansas secedes from the Union.

1877

Oglala Lakota chief Crazy Horse surrenders to U.S. troops.

1889

The Eiffel Tower is officially opened to the public.

1910

George V becomes King of the United Kingdom upon the death of Edward VII.

1915

Babe Ruth hits first major league home run.

1935

Works Progress Administration is created.

First flight of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk.

1937

The Hindenburg catches fire at Lakehurst, New Jersey and is destroyed in less than 60 seconds. 36 people die.

1940

John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" wins the Pultizer Prize.

1941

Bob Hope performs his first USO show.

1945

Axis Sally delivers her last broadcast.

1954

Roger Bannister runs the mile in under four minutes.

1989

Magnum XL-200, the first roller coaster to break the 200 ft height barrier, opens, igniting the coaster wars.

1994

The Channel Tunnel opens.

Paula Jones files a sexual harassment lawsuit against President Bill Clinton.

After missing for 8 days, former CIA director William Colby's body is found.

2013

Three women missing for more than a decade are found alive in the U.S. city of Cleveland, Ohio. Their captor is taken into custody.

Births

1856 – Sigmund Freud, Robert Peary; 1895 – Rudolph Valentino; 1903 – Toots Shor; 1913 – Stewart Granger; 1915 – Orson Welles; 1931 – Willie Mays; 1945 – Bob Seger; 1950 – Jeffery Deaver, Robbie McIntosh; 1953 – Tony Blair; 1960 – Roma Downey; 1961 – George Clooney

Deaths

1862 – Henry David Thoreau; 1902 – Bret Harte; 1910 – Edward VII; 1919 – L. Frank Baum; 1952 – Maria Montessori; 1983 – Kai Winding; 1987 – William J. Casey; 2004 – Barney Kessel