This Day in History

Important events and people on this day in history

On May 19th, 1983 The Clash brought punk rock to Memorial Auditorium in Wichita Falls, TX.

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1878 – A yellow fever epidemic in Memphis eventually empties the city (More info) 1918 – Opha Mae Johnson becomes the first woman to enlist in the United States Marine Corps (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1851 – Isaac Singer patents the sewing machine (More info) 1898 – An Armistice ends the Spanish-American War (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1934 – The first civilian inmates arrive at the Federal prison on Alcatraz Island (More info) 1965 – The predominately black neighborhood of Watts in Los Angeles erupts in riots that last six days and leave 34 people dead (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1483 – The Sistine Chapel in Rome opens with a celebratory Mass (More info) 1930 – Betty Boop debuts in the cartoon ‘Dizzy Dishes’ (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1782 – George Washington orders the creation of the Badge of Military Merit to honor soldiers wounded in battle; it is later renamed to the more poetic Purple Heart (More info) 1789 – The United States War Department, which later becomes the Department of Defense, is established (More info)

Here are just some of the notable sports moments that happened on August 7: