Moments in Time: Three Presidents in One Year
The History Channel
On Sept. 16, 1951, 19 people enjoying an air show in Colorado were tragically killed when a monoplane performing stunt maneuvers crashed into the crowd at a Colorado air show. The pilot was performing a snap roll when a wing caught on the ground and propelled the craft into spectators.
On Sept. 17, 2006, an E. coli outbreak, blamed on spinach, occurred in the United States. The vegetable was recalled from stores and three deaths were attributed to the outbreak.
On Sept. 18, 1973, future president Jimmy Carter filed a report with the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena, claiming he had seen a UFO several years previously in Leary, Georgia, which he described as a silent ball of light that changed size, brightness and color over a period of 10-12 minutes.
On Sept. 19, 1995, The New York Times and The Washington Post published the Unabomber's 35,000-word manifesto, as in June he had said he would kill again if they did not do so by a specific deadline. The FBI hoped the publication might help reveal his identity.
On Sept. 20, 1881, following the assassination of James Garfield, Vice President Chester Arthur was inaugurated on Sept. 20, 1881, becoming the third person to serve as president in that year. Interestingly, Garfield's assassin wrote to Arthur from jail, taking credit for his promotion into the White House.
On Sept. 21, 1955, eight women launched America's first lesbian-rights group, the Daughters of Bilitis, initially as a social alternative to the frequently raided bar scene. The group eventually grew into a national advocacy organization.
On Sept. 22, 1828, Shaka, founder of the Zulu Kingdom of southern Africa, was murdered by his two half-brothers after his mental illness threatened to destroy the Zulu tribe. Although at first a brilliant military organizer, his grief at losing his mother in 1827 led him to enact strange laws, including a prohibition against planting crops and using milk, and to order the execution of all pregnant women and their husbands. The crisis came when he sent his army on an extensive military operation, and upon their returning exhausted, immediately commanded them out again.
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