Today In History

1862: A bill ending slavery in the District of Columbia became law.

1935: The radio comedy program “Fibber McGee and Molly” premiered on NBC.

1947: Financier and presidential confidant Bernard M. Baruch said in a speech in South Carolina: “Let us not be deceived - we are today in the midst of a Cold War.”

1947: The United States’ worst harbor explosion occurred in Texas City, Texas, when the French ship Grandcamp, carrying ammonium nitrate fertilizer, caught fire and blew up, devastating the town. Another ship, the Highflyer, exploded the following day. The explosions and resulting fires killed more than 500 people and left 200 others missing.

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