4-20-12: Today in History

Lead Story
Castro announces Mariel Boatlift, 1980

American Revolution
New York adopts state constitution, 1777

Automotive
Danica Patrick becomes first woman to win Indy race, 2008

Civil War
Lee resigns from U.S. Army, 1861

Cold War
Korean Air Lines jet forced down over Soviet Union, 1978

Crime
A massacre at Columbine High School, 1999

Disaster
San Francisco firefighters halt massive blaze, 1906
General Interest

Siege of Londonderry begins, 1689

Ku Klux Act passed by Congress, 1871

Curies isolate radium, 1902

Columbine High School massacre, 1999

Hollywood
New sound process for films announced, 1926

Literary
First detective story is published, 1841

Music
"Mambo King" Tito Puente is born, 1923

Old West
Militia slaughters strikers at Ludlow, Colorado, 1914

Presidential
McKinley asks for declaration of war with Spain, 1898

Sports
Jordan scores 63 points in playoff game, 1986

Vietnam War
Nixon announces more troop withdrawals, 1970

"Fragging" on the rise in U.S. units, 1971

World War I
Nivelle Offensive ends in failure, 1917

World War II
Operation Corncob is launched while Hitler celebrates his birthday, 1945
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

Arrivals: Napoleon III, Harold Lloyd, Lionel Hampton, Jessica Lange.
Departures: Bram Stoker, Benny Hill, Christopher Robin Milne, Dorothy Height.