1998 – Shots Fired Inside the U.S. Capitol

The U.S. Capitol—a symbol of democracy, power, and protection—was shaken to its core when Russell Eugene Weston Jr. stormed the building with a gun.

He opened fire.
Two Capitol Police officers—Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson—were killed.
Tourists and staff ran for cover as chaos erupted in the heart of American governance.

Weston was tackled and arrested, but what followed was even more unsettling:
He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial.
He remains institutionalized—never convicted, never sentenced.

Two Men Who Stood in the Line of Fire

• Officer Jacob Chestnut, a 20-year Air Force veteran, was the first African American to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.

• Detective John Gibson died protecting congressional staffers.

They weren’t just officers.
They were guardians of a nation’s heartbeat—and they paid the ultimate price.

Justice Deferred, Not Delivered

This tragedy reignited debates over:

• Mental health and the criminal justice system

• Security protocols inside government buildings

• What justice looks like when a shooter is too ill to stand trial

The Capitol attack of 1998 is a chilling reminder that violence doesn’t need armies—it only takes one man, one moment, one break from reality.

1914 – The Fuse Is Lit for World War I

On this day, Austria-Hungary issued a chilling ultimatum to Serbia—a response to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist.
The demands were nearly impossible to meet.
Serbia refused.
And within days, Europe was at war.

What followed:

• 4 years of global conflict
• Over 16 million deaths
• The collapse of empires
• And the birth of modern warfare.

It all started with a bullet in Sarajevo—and an ultimatum too sharp to swallow.

1967 – Detroit Burns

Riots erupted in Detroit, Michigan, after police raided an unlicensed after-hours bar in a Black neighborhood.
For five days, the city became a war zone.
43 people were killed, thousands arrested, and hundreds of buildings destroyed.

It wasn’t just about a bar—it was about poverty, racism, and police brutality boiling over.

National Guardsmen and tanks rolled through American streets—a scene too real to ignore.
Detroit’s wounds still echo in every conversation about race and power today.

1977 – The Hanafi Siege Verdict

A Washington, DC, jury convicted 12 Hanafi Muslims for a shocking hostage situation earlier that March.
Armed with rifles and machetes, they stormed:

• The District Building

• B’nai B’rith International headquarters

• Islamic Center of Washington

Over 100 hostages were taken.
Two were killed.
The siege ended after negotiations, but it revealed the deep tensions in American faith, justice, and extremism.

1997 – The End of a Killer: Andrew Cunanan

Police in Miami Beach discovered the body of Andrew Cunanan, the man behind a chilling killing spree that ended with the murder of fashion icon Gianni Versace.

Cunanan had murdered at least five men across the U.S., leaving a trail of horror from Minneapolis to Miami.
He died by suicide on a houseboat—just days after shooting Versace on the steps of his mansion.

A killer obsessed with status, sexuality, and violence—his story became tabloid legend and true crime tragedy.

1916 – Bombing the Parade for War

During a Preparedness Day parade in San Francisco, a bomb hidden in a suitcase exploded—killing 10 and injuring over 40.
The event, meant to show unity before America’s entry into WWI, turned into bloodshed.

Two labor activists, Thomas Mooney and Warren Billings, were wrongfully convicted, a dark reminder of how panic can cloud justice.
The real bomber? Still a mystery.

1934 – The End of John Dillinger

At the Biograph Theatre in Chicago, FBI agents gunned down public enemy #1, John Dillinger.
Betrayed by the infamous “Lady in Red,” Dillinger was ambushed after watching Manhattan Melodrama.
He died with a pistol in his pocket—and a crowd gathering around his bloodied body.

To some, he was a Robin Hood. To others, a cold-blooded killer.
Either way, his legend died under the marquee lights.

1946 – The King David Hotel Bombing

Jewish militants from the Irgun planted explosives inside the King David Hotel—the British administrative headquarters in Jerusalem.
90 people died, including Britons, Arabs, and Jews.

It was a brutal message in the fight against British rule—terrorism disguised as liberation.
The scars remain in the foundation of modern Israel’s history.

1991 – Tyson and Dahmer: Same Day, Two Monsters

Miss Black America contestant Desiree Washington accused boxer Mike Tyson of rape in an Indianapolis hotel room.
Tyson, a heavyweight champion at the time, would be convicted and serve 3 years.
It was a seismic fall from fame—and a moment that forced America to confront celebrity, power, and violence.

That same day in Milwaukee, police entered Jeffrey Dahmer’s apartment.
Inside: body parts, Polaroids, acid vats, and 17 young men’s remains.
Dahmer was arrested, confessed, and sentenced to life. His apartment became a crime scene from hell—a slaughterhouse masked as a studio.

1992 – Pablo Escobar’s Escape

Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar slipped away from his self-built luxury prison, La Catedral.
Guards looked the other way as the world’s most dangerous man vanished into the jungle.
His escape would ignite a manhunt and a war, ending with his death in 1993—a bloody full stop to a decade of narco-terror.

1873 – Jesse James: The First Train Heist

In the heart of Adair, Iowa, Jesse James and his gang committed America’s first successful train robbery.

The outlaws derailed the Rock Island Express, looted it, and made off with $3,000—a fortune at the time. The gang had loosened a rail to flip the train, killing the engineer in the process.

It wasn’t just a robbery. It was a symbol of rebellion against the industrial and political elite—and it launched Jesse James into legendary outlaw status.

But behind the folklore was a brutal criminal, romanticized by time and Western nostalgia.

2004 – The 9/11 Commission’s Quiet Warning

On this day in 2004, White House officials were privately briefed on the findings of the 9/11 Commission Report.

The 575-page document didn't just recount events—it exposed massive institutional failures in intelligence sharing, airport security, and inter-agency communication.

Hijackers were able to slip through the cracks, not due to genius, but because of systemic negligence. The report would be released to the public the next day, but the truth landed here first—July 21.

The damage had been done. But the warning was clear: bureaucracy can be as deadly as bullets.

1951 – King Abdullah Assassinated

On this day in 1951, King Abdullah I of Jordan was assassinated in Jerusalem.

He was shot while attending Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, a moment that sent shockwaves through the Middle East. The assassination was politically charged, rooted in fears that Abdullah would make peace with Israel.

His grandson, Hussein, who would later become king, was beside him at the time—and narrowly survived. The event reshaped Jordan’s leadership and escalated regional tensions.

1993 – Vincent Foster’s Mysterious Death

White House deputy counsel Vincent Foster Jr. was found dead by suicide in Fort Marcy Park, just outside Washington, D.C.

His death sparked a storm of conspiracy theories, political intrigue, and multiple investigations. While official rulings concluded suicide, Foster’s close ties to Hillary and Bill Clinton fueled suspicions and became a cornerstone for anti-Clinton narratives throughout the 1990s.

Even today, his death is cited by conspiracy theorists as an example of “Washington cover-ups.”

1997 – Deaf Mexicans Found Enslaved in NYC

In a shocking case of modern slavery, New York City police raided apartments and uncovered a trafficking ring that had forced scores of deaf Mexicans into selling trinkets on the streets under slave-like conditions.

Seven people were arrested for smuggling, abuse, and exploitation.

The victims, isolated by language and disability, had been coerced and manipulated into servitude—a haunting reminder of how human trafficking can thrive unnoticed, even in one of the world’s most visible cities.

1984 – San Ysidro McDonald’s Massacre

On this day in 1984, a gunman opened fire inside a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, California.

Over the course of minutes, he killed 21 people and wounded many others before being shot dead by police.

At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in U.S. history, leaving a community shattered and sparking conversations about gun violence and public safety that continue today.

1994 – Buenos Aires Car Bomb

On July 18, 1994, a massive car bomb exploded outside the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires, killing 96 people and injuring hundreds more.

The bombing was the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentina’s history and targeted Jewish organizations. Investigations have linked the attack to Iranian-backed Hezbollah operatives, though justice has been slow and controversial.

The event remains a painful wound in Argentina’s collective memory and a symbol of unresolved international terrorism.

2000 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Arrested

On this day in 2000, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana.

He was pulled over for speeding and failed a sobriety test. At the time, Abdul-Jabbar was the leading scorer in NBA history, making the arrest a surprising and widely reported event that reminded fans even heroes face personal challenges.

1762 – The Assassination of Peter III of Russia

On this day in 1762, Peter III of Russia was murdered, just days after being overthrown in a coup led by his own wife, Catherine II — who would soon be known as Catherine the Great.

Peter’s reign had lasted only six months, but his political missteps, admiration for Prussia, and unpopular reforms had earned him few allies. Catherine seized the moment and the throne, with help from the military and loyal nobles. The official story claimed Peter died of “hemorrhoidal colic,” but the truth was far bloodier — he was likely strangled by Alexei Orlov, a key conspirator.

Catherine would go on to rule for over three decades, but her rise to power was born of betrayal, murder, and ambition fit for a Shakespearean tragedy.

2014 – Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 Shot Down

Fast forward to 2014, when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew.

The aircraft was flying over rebel-held territory near Grabove, amid the Ukrainian conflict. Investigations revealed the plane was struck by a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile, launched by pro-Russian separatists. The tragedy stunned the world, becoming a grim symbol of how modern warfare and geopolitical chaos can claim innocent lives in an instant.

2004 – Martha Stewart Sentenced for Lying About Stock Sale

On this day in 2004, Martha Stewart, the queen of domestic perfection, was sentenced to five months in prison, followed by five months of home confinement, and fined $30,000 for lying to investigators about a stock sale.

Stewart had sold nearly 4,000 shares of ImClone Systems stock in 2001, avoiding a loss of about $45,000. Prosecutors argued that she acted on insider information — though she wasn’t charged with insider trading directly, she was convicted of obstruction of justice and making false statements.

The conviction shocked the business and media worlds alike, tarnishing the brand of a woman who had built an empire on trust, lifestyle, and impeccable taste. Stewart’s fall from grace served as a powerful reminder that no one is too high-profile to be held accountable for deception.

1685 – The Duke of Monmouth Executed

On this day in 1685, James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, was executed on Tower Hill in England.

After leading a failed rebellion against his uncle, King James II, at the Battle of Sedgemoor, Monmouth was captured and beheaded in a grisly, botched execution that took multiple blows. His death ended hopes for a Protestant uprising and solidified James II’s rule — for a time.

1788 – Louis XVI Jails Protest Deputies

On July 15, 1788, Louis XVI of France jailed 12 parliamentary deputies who dared to protest his new judicial reforms.

This act further fueled tensions that would explode into the French Revolution the following year. By silencing opposition, the king set in motion his own downfall.

1857 – The Second Cawnpore Massacre

On this day in 1857, during the Indian Mutiny (also known as the First War of Independence), British women and children were murdered at Cawnpore (Kanpur).

Trapped and betrayed, the captives were slaughtered, and their bodies thrown into a well. The massacre remains one of the darkest and most controversial episodes of the rebellion, fueling brutal British reprisals.

1863 – Bill Anderson Raids Huntsville, Missouri

In 1863, Confederate guerrilla Bill Anderson and his Bushwhackers raided Huntsville, Missouri, robbing a local bank of $45,000.

Known for their ruthlessness, Anderson’s raids spread terror throughout Missouri during the Civil War, earning him a notorious place among Confederate irregular fighters.

1953 – John Christie Hanged

On this day in 1953, John Christie, the "Rillington Place Strangler," was hanged at Pentonville Prison in London.

Christie confessed to murdering at least eight women (including his wife), often burying their bodies in his home. His crimes led to one of Britain’s most infamous miscarriages of justice, as an innocent man was wrongly executed for one of Christie’s murders.

1976 – Chowchilla Kidnapping

On July 15, 1976, 26 schoolchildren and their bus driver were kidnapped near Chowchilla, California, by three armed men.

They were buried alive in a moving van, but after 36 terrifying hours, the hostages dug themselves out and escaped unharmed. The audacious crime remains one of the largest mass kidnappings in U.S. history.

1997 – Gianni Versace Murdered

On this day in 1997, fashion icon Gianni Versace was shot dead outside his Miami mansion by spree killer Andrew Cunanan.

Cunanan, who murdered five people during his cross-country rampage, was found dead eight days later. Versace’s shocking death stunned the fashion world and left a permanent scar on Miami Beach’s glittering image.

2002 – John Walker Lindh Pleads Guilty

On July 15, 2002, John Walker Lindh, known as the "American Taliban," pled guilty to supplying services to the Taliban and carrying explosives during a felony.

Captured in Afghanistan in 2001, Lindh became a symbol of Westerners joining extremist causes. He received two 20-year sentences, served concurrently, in exchange for his guilty plea.

1798 – Sedition Act Passed

On this day in 1798, the U.S. Congress passed the Sedition Act, making it a federal crime to write, publish, or speak false or malicious statements against the U.S. government.

Part of the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, this law was seen as a direct assault on free speech and used as a weapon against political opponents of President John Adams. The Act fueled intense debates over constitutional rights and helped shape America’s long struggle over the balance between security and freedom of expression.

1966 – Richard Speck’s Nurse Murders

On July 14, 1966, Richard Speck committed one of the most brutal mass murders in American history when he broke into a Chicago dormitory and murdered eight student nurses.

Speck tied up, tortured, and methodically killed the young women throughout the night. Only one nurse survived by hiding under a bed.

The chilling nature of the murders and Speck’s calm demeanor during his trial shocked the nation and permanently altered the sense of safety in urban America.

1986 – FBI Agent Convicted of Espionage

On this day in 1986, Richard W. Miller became the first FBI agent ever convicted of espionage.

Miller was found guilty of passing classified documents to the Soviet Union through his lover, a Soviet operative named Svetlana Ogorodnikova.

The betrayal from within the very agency tasked with protecting national security exposed vulnerabilities in internal screening and rocked public trust in American intelligence.

2016 – Bastille Day Attack in Nice, France

On July 14, 2016, tragedy struck France when a terrorist drove a 19-ton cargo truck into a crowd gathered in Nice for Bastille Day celebrations.

The attack left 84 people dead and hundreds injured, including many children. It was one of France’s deadliest terror attacks in modern history.

Claimed by ISIS, the assault further deepened Europe’s ongoing security concerns and scarred a nation already mourning from previous terror events in Paris.

1793 – Jean-Paul Marat Assassinated

On this day in 1793, French revolutionary leader and journalist Jean-Paul Marat was stabbed to death in his bath by Charlotte Corday, a Girondin sympathizer who saw Marat as a dangerous instigator of violence during the Reign of Terror.

Marat’s death became one of the French Revolution’s most iconic images, immortalized in Jacques-Louis David’s painting The Death of Marat. Corday was executed by guillotine four days later, cementing her own place in revolutionary lore as both assassin and martyr.

1979 – Siege at the Egyptian Embassy in Turkey

On July 13, 1979, a 45-hour siege began at the Egyptian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, when four Palestinian guerrillas stormed the building.

They killed two security guards and took 20 hostages, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners in Egypt. The tense standoff highlighted the spread of Middle Eastern political violence into diplomatic spaces abroad.

The siege finally ended with intervention by Turkish forces, leaving deep scars on diplomatic relations and embassy security worldwide.

1994 – Jeff Gillooly Sentenced in Kerrigan Attack

On this day in 1994, Jeff Gillooly, the ex-husband of figure skater Tonya Harding, was sentenced to two years in prison in Portland, Oregon, for his role in the attack on fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan.

Gillooly orchestrated the plot to injure Kerrigan ahead of the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, turning an elegant sport into a global tabloid frenzy and forever tarnishing Harding’s reputation.

The sentencing was a key moment in a scandal that blurred the line between sport and spectacle — a reminder that betrayal can skate on thin ice beneath the bright lights.

2000 – Madrid Car Bombing Attributed to ETA

On this day in 2000, a car bomb exploded in central Madrid, injuring nine people.

The attack was blamed on the Basque separatist group ETA, a militant organization that had been fighting for an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southwestern France.

ETA’s decades-long campaign of violence included bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings — tactics that left over 800 people dead and a nation in constant fear. Though weakened by arrests and internal divisions, ETA continued its violent operations into the early 2000s before declaring a permanent ceasefire in 2011.

2016 – FBI Ends D.B. Cooper Investigation

On July 11, 2016, the FBI officially closed its investigation into the infamous D.B. Cooper hijacking, one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American criminal history.

In 1971, a man using the alias Dan “D.B.” Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient Airlines flight, extorted $200,000 in ransom, and parachuted into the night over the forests of Washington State — never to be seen again.

Despite exhaustive searches, countless theories, and decades of leads, the man’s true identity and fate remain unknown. By ending the active investigation, the FBI acknowledged that without new, concrete evidence, Cooper’s legend would remain just that — a phantom in American folklore.

1980 – Hostage Richard Queen Released in Tehran

On this day in 1980, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ordered the release of American hostage Richard Queen due to illness.

Queen was one of 63 Americans taken hostage at the U.S. embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979, during the Iranian Revolution.

After suffering from multiple sclerosis symptoms, Queen was flown to Zurich, Switzerland, marking the only early humanitarian release during the 444-day Iran hostage crisis. His release provided a rare moment of relief in an otherwise tense and deeply traumatic chapter of U.S.–Iran relations.

1994 – Shawn Eckardt Sentenced in Kerrigan Attack

On July 10, 1994, Shawn Eckardt was sentenced to 18 months in prison in Portland, Oregon, for his role in the infamous attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan.

Eckardt was a co-conspirator with Tonya Harding’s ex-husband Jeff Gillooly in the plot to injure Kerrigan ahead of the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The attack shocked the world, casting a dark shadow over figure skating and turning the sport into a tabloid sensation.

2000 – Comedian Jimmy Walker Cited

On this day in 2000, comedian Jimmy Walker — known for his catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!" — was cited for failing to maintain his lane after colliding with another vehicle.

Though no major injuries were reported, the incident showed how quickly fame can turn into a headline for all the wrong reasons.

2000 – President Clinton’s Disbarment Case Judge Assigned

Also on this day in 2000, Arkansas Judge Leon Johnson announced he would preside over the disbarment case against President Bill Clinton.

Several other judges had stepped aside, citing conflicts of interest. The case stemmed from Clinton’s misleading testimony during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and became a symbolic endnote to his turbulent presidency, highlighting the blurred lines between personal misconduct and public duty.

1992 – Manuel Noriega Sentenced

On this day in 1992, a federal judge in Miami sentenced former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega to 40 years in prison on drug trafficking and racketeering charges.

Noriega, once a U.S. ally and CIA informant, turned into a ruthless dictator deeply involved in narcotics smuggling. His 1989 ouster by U.S. military forces marked one of the rare times America deposed a foreign leader directly.

His trial revealed the tangled web of power, corruption, and covert alliances in Latin America — and served as a warning that even those protected by powerful friends can eventually fall.

1997 – NATO Forces Strike in Bosnia

On July 9, 1997, NATO forces in Bosnia carried out a decisive operation: they captured one Serb war crimes suspect and killed another, signaling a bold new willingness to enforce international justice.

The move sent a strong warning to Bosnia's most wanted war criminals, many of whom had evaded capture since the bloody conflicts of the early 1990s. This operation marked one of the first times NATO directly intervened to apprehend war criminals, setting a precedent for future actions.

2000 – Jean-Claude Van Damme Sentenced

On this day in 2000, Jean-Claude Van Damme, the martial arts movie star known for high kicks and tough-guy roles, was sentenced to three years probation and fined $1,200 for drunk driving and driving without a license.

Van Damme was arrested in 1999 after he crashed his Mercedes-Benz into a Los Angeles restaurant. The incident highlighted the real-life consequences of celebrity recklessness — a sharp contrast to his invincible on-screen persona.

1993 – Charles Keating Sentenced for Fraud

On this day in 1993, Charles Keating, the powerful chief of Lincoln Savings & Loan Association, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison after being found guilty of violating California securities and fraud laws.

Keating became a central figure in the Savings & Loan crisis of the late 1980s, a financial disaster that cost taxpayers billions and wiped out the life savings of thousands of ordinary Americans. His aggressive — and illegal — investment strategies pushed Lincoln Savings into bankruptcy, leaving elderly investors particularly devastated.

Keating’s name became synonymous with corporate greed and regulatory failure, cementing his place in the annals of white-collar crime. His conviction was seen as a symbolic victory for accountability, though for many victims, it offered little solace.

2005 – The London Bombings ("7/7")

On this day in 2005, London was rocked by a coordinated series of suicide bombings that targeted the city’s public transportation system during the busy morning rush hour.

Four Islamist extremists detonated bombs on three subway trains and a double-decker bus, killing at least 66 people (including the bombers) and injuring over 700 others.

The attacks struck at the heart of everyday life in London — trains packed with commuters, a bus full of morning travelers — turning routine journeys into scenes of horror and chaos.

This marked the United Kingdom’s deadliest terror attack since the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and underscored the global reach of homegrown extremism inspired by al-Qaeda’s ideology. The events of "7/7" left deep psychological scars on Londoners and prompted sweeping changes to the city’s security measures and emergency preparedness.

1905 – First International Fingerprint Exchange

On this day in 1905, officials in Europe and the U.S. exchanged fingerprints for the first time, in the case of John Walker, a burglar.

This marked a significant turning point in criminal investigation history: a move toward standardizing fingerprint analysis across borders, transforming law enforcement's ability to track criminals internationally.

What started as a new tool for local policing soon became a cornerstone of modern forensic science — a global language for catching fugitives and solving cold cases.

1987 – Sikh Extremists Launch Deadly Attacks in India

On July 6, 1987, Sikh extremists began the first of three attacks targeting Hindu passengers, starting with an assault on a bus.

Over two days, these coordinated attacks left 72 people dead, spreading fear and deepening religious tensions in Punjab and surrounding regions.

The violence underscored the fragility of communal peace and the devastating impact of targeted terror — a grim reminder of how ideology, when weaponized, can shred entire communities in mere hours.

1995 – Prosecution Rests in O.J. Simpson Trial

In Los Angeles, on this day in 1995, the prosecution rested its case in the O.J. Simpson murder trial, after presenting weeks of explosive evidence tying Simpson to the brutal killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

The trial had already captured national and global attention, turning courtrooms into stages and lawyers into celebrities. While the prosecution's case was strong in physical evidence, it struggled against defense strategies emphasizing racism and procedural missteps — leading to Simpson’s eventual acquittal.

2000 – Cory Erving’s Body Found

On July 6, 2000, the body of Cory Erving, son of basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving, was discovered in his car submerged in a pond near his family’s home in Orlando, Florida.

Cory had been reported missing on June 4, prompting weeks of searching and public appeals. His death was ruled an accidental drowning, but the loss left a lasting mark on the Erving family and fans who had followed the tragedy in real time.

1865 – U.S. Secret Service Created to Combat Counterfeiting

On this day in 1865, the U.S. Secret Service Division was established — not to protect presidents (that duty came later), but to fight widespread currency counterfeiting in the aftermath of the Civil War.

At the time, an estimated one-third of all U.S. currency in circulation was fake, threatening the fragile postwar economy. The Secret Service took on the dangerous job of tracking counterfeiters, forgers, and those who altered securities, laying the foundation for modern financial crime investigations.

Eventually, their mission expanded to include presidential protection after the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, but their original purpose remains a cornerstone of their work today.

2002 – Nazi SS Officer Friedrich Engel Convicted

On July 5, 2002, Friedrich Engel, a former Nazi SS officer known as the "Butcher of Genoa," was convicted of 59 counts of murder by a German court.

The charges stemmed from the massacre of 59 Italian resistance fighters on May 19, 1944. Engel ordered the executions in retaliation for partisan attacks, demonstrating the Nazi regime’s ruthless tactics to suppress local resistance across Europe.

Engel was 93 at the time of his conviction, highlighting the enduring pursuit of justice against war criminals — no matter how many decades had passed or how frail they had become.

1712 – Twelve Slaves Executed After New York Uprising

On this day in 1712, twelve enslaved people were executed in New York City after leading a rebellion that resulted in the deaths of nine white colonists.

The uprising began on April 6, 1712, when a group of about 23 enslaved Africans set fire to a building on Maiden Lane and ambushed whites who responded to extinguish the blaze. Their act was a desperate strike against a brutal system of bondage that offered no path to freedom and no escape from violence.

In the aftermath, colonial authorities cracked down viciously: twelve were hanged, one was broken on the wheel, and others faced brutal punishments. The event led to even harsher slave codes and restrictions on Black people in New York, intensifying an already cruel regime.

While today is remembered for the birth of American independence in 1776, this earlier July 4 stands as a reminder that freedom was never universal — and that resistance has always existed, even in the darkest corners.

1901 – The Wild Bunch’s Last American Train Robbery

On this day in 1901, the Wild Bunch, led by the legendary Butch Cassidy, carried out their last American robbery near Wagner, Montana.

They stopped a Great Northern train and stole a staggering $65,000, a fortune at the time. The gang split up immediately afterward to avoid pursuit, with Cassidy and the Sundance Kid eventually fleeing to South America.

The Wild Bunch embodied the romanticized image of the American outlaw, but their crime spree also marked the twilight of the Wild West era. The federal government’s pursuit of the gang signaled a new age of law enforcement and the decline of frontier banditry.

1976 – Raid on Entebbe: Hostages Rescued

On July 3, 1976, an elite Israeli commando unit executed a daring rescue at Entebbe Airport in Uganda, freeing 103 hostages held by Palestinian and German terrorists.

The hostages had been seized from an Air France jetliner hijacked on June 27 en route from Tel Aviv to Paris. The plane was forced to land in Uganda, where dictator Idi Amin supported the hijackers.

In a meticulously planned raid lasting just 90 minutes, Israeli forces stormed the airport, killing the hijackers and rescuing nearly all the hostages. The operation cost the life of one Israeli commando — Yonatan Netanyahu, brother of future Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — and became a legendary example of counterterrorism success.

1881 – President James A. Garfield Fatally Wounded

On this day in 1881, Charles J. Guiteau shot U.S. President James A. Garfield at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, DC.

Garfield was wounded but did not immediately die — he clung to life for 79 days before succumbing to infection and complications on September 19, 1881.

Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who believed he was owed a political appointment, shouted, "I am a Stalwart and Arthur is president now!" after pulling the trigger. His trial captivated the nation and raised questions about presidential security, mental illness, and the spoils system in American politics.

Guiteau was convicted and hanged in June 1882, famously claiming God had told him to kill Garfield.

1976 – Supreme Court Upholds Death Penalty

On July 2, 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Gregg v. Georgia that the death penalty is not inherently cruel or unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.

This ruling reversed the Court’s earlier decision in 1972 (Furman v. Georgia), which had effectively halted executions nationwide. The Gregg decision reinstated the death penalty but required new sentencing procedures to ensure fairness and reduce arbitrary application.

The verdict reignited debates on morality, deterrence, and the risk of wrongful execution — arguments that continue to divide Americans today.

1985 – Thirty-Nine American Hostages Freed in Beirut

On this day in 1985, thirty-nine American hostages were freed in Beirut after being held for 17 harrowing days aboard a hijacked TWA jetliner.

The ordeal began on June 14 when TWA Flight 847, en route from Athens to Rome, was hijacked by members of Hezbollah, demanding the release of Shiite prisoners held by Israel. The hijackers beat passengers, killed U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem, and moved the plane multiple times, turning the incident into a global media spectacle and a diplomatic crisis.

Their eventual release on June 30 came after extensive negotiations involving U.S. and Middle Eastern officials. While the freed hostages returned home, the attack underscored the vulnerability of international air travel and the growing threat of state-supported terrorism in the 1980s.

1967 – Keith Richards and Mick Jagger Sentenced in Drug Bust

On this day in 1967, two members of The Rolling Stones — Keith Richards and Mick Jagger — were found guilty on drug charges in a sensational case that became a defining moment of the 1960s counterculture clash.

Richards was found guilty of allowing his property to be used for the smoking of marijuana at his Redlands estate, sentenced to one year in jail, and fined.
Jagger was found guilty of possessing amphetamine pills ("pep pills"), reportedly purchased in Italy and legally there, but illegal in the UK. He was sentenced to three months in jail.

The sentences sparked outrage among fans and the wider public, seen by many as a harsh example of the establishment cracking down on the "dangerous" influence of rock stars. Even The Times of London famously published an editorial headlined "Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?" criticizing the severity of the punishments.

The sentences were later overturned on appeal, and both Richards and Jagger were released — cementing their images as rebellious icons and fueling their legend as rock and roll outlaws.

1999 – DMX’s Home Searched in Shooting Investigation

On this day in 1999, police searched the New Jersey home of rapper DMX (Earl Simmons) in connection with the shooting of Ray Copeland, who was not just his uncle, but also his manager.

The incident occurred the previous day, when Copeland was shot in the foot after what was described as a heated dispute at a music-related gathering. While DMX was not charged in the shooting, the search of his property fueled intense media speculation and added to his already controversial public image.

The event underscored the fragile line between fame and the street, especially for artists whose lyrics and lives often reflect harsh realities. For DMX, known for his raw and confessional music, it was another chapter in a turbulent personal saga marked by violence, legal trouble, and internal battles.

1973 – John Dean Implicates Nixon in Watergate Cover-Up

On June 25, 1973, during televised hearings before the Senate Watergate Committee, White House Counsel John Dean gave explosive testimony that directly implicated President Richard Nixon in the cover-up of the Watergate break-in.

Dean revealed that not only did Nixon know about the efforts to obstruct the FBI’s investigation, but he also had knowledge of hush money payments and attempts to misuse federal agencies.

“There is a cancer on the presidency,” Dean warned — and the root of it was Nixon.

This moment became a turning point in the Watergate scandal, setting in motion the release of the infamous “smoking gun” tape and Nixon’s resignation just over a year later. It was one of the most damning revelations ever made against a sitting U.S. president.

1997 – “Prom Mom” Melissa Drexler Charged with Murder

On this day in 1997, 18-year-old Melissa Drexler of New Jersey was charged with murder after giving birth in a bathroom stall during her high school prom, placing the baby in a trash bin, and returning to the dance floor.

The story stunned the nation — a teenage girl, dressed in a gown, delivering a child while her date waited outside, then continuing her night as if nothing had happened. Medical examiners confirmed the baby was born alive.

The case ignited fierce debate over teen pregnancy, mental health, denial syndrome, and parental pressure, and earned Drexler the national nickname: “The Prom Mom.” She later pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years, serving just under four.

2002 – Supreme Court Shifts Power to the Jury

In a landmark 7–2 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juries — not judges — must make the final decision to impose the death penalty (Ring v. Arizona).

The decision struck down laws in five states and triggered changes across the country, affirming that the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial includes the most severe punishment decisions. It represented a crucial moment in death penalty reform, shifting power away from the bench and toward public deliberation through the jury system.

1964 – Burned Car Found in Civil Rights Case

Three days after James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner disappeared during Freedom Summer, their burned-out car was discovered in Philadelphia, Mississippi. This prompted the FBI to open a full-scale investigation, later dubbed "Mississippi Burning."

The case exposed the deep-seated racism and corruption embedded in local institutions. Their bodies wouldn’t be found until August 4, buried in an earthen dam. The discovery ignited national outrage and helped fuel momentum for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965.

1972 – Nixon’s “Smoking Gun” Conversation

On this day, President Richard Nixon and Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman were secretly recorded discussing a plan to use the CIA to block the FBI’s Watergate investigation.

This conversation, later dubbed the “Smoking Gun Tape,” became a turning point in the Watergate scandal. When released in 1974, it led directly to Nixon’s resignation, the only in U.S. presidential history, and proved how deeply the administration was entrenched in abuse of power and cover-up tactics.

1992 – John Gotti Sentenced to Life in Prison

Mob boss John Gotti, known as the “Teflon Don” for evading conviction for years, was sentenced to life in prison in New York after being found guilty of murder, racketeering, and other charges.

Once a flashy figure in organized crime with tailored suits and tabloid fame, Gotti’s fall was orchestrated in part by his own underboss-turned-informant, Sammy “The Bull” Gravano. The sentence marked the end of an era for the Gambino crime family—and a win for the FBI’s war on the Mafia.

1993 – Lorena Bobbitt Takes Violent Revenge

In Prince William County, Virginia, Lorena Bobbitt made headlines around the world after she sexually mutilated her husband, John Bobbitt, claiming he had raped her earlier that night.

Her case became a flashpoint in national discussions about domestic abuse, marital rape, and mental health. Lorena was later found not guilty by reason of temporary insanity, while John’s trial for marital sexual assault ended in acquittal. The media spectacle revealed society’s discomfort—and fascination—with gendered violence.

1997 – Betty Shabazz Dies of Burns from House Fire

Betty Shabazz, widow of civil rights icon Malcolm X, died in New York at age 61 from severe burns suffered in a house fire, set by her 12-year-old grandson.

The boy, troubled and displaced, had set the fire reportedly out of frustration at being sent to live with her. Betty’s death added a tragic postscript to a life already marked by trauma, resilience, and loss. A nurse, educator, and activist in her own right, she carried Malcolm X’s legacy while forging her own path in advocacy and public service.

1953 – Trial of the Rillington Place Strangler Begins

John Christie, one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers, went on trial for murder on this day in 1953. Known as the Rillington Place Strangler, Christie confessed to killing at least eight women, including his wife, in and around his home in Notting Hill, London.

His crimes, hidden behind the wallpaper and floorboards, led to widespread public horror—especially after it was revealed that an innocent man had previously been hanged for one of Christie’s murders. His case became a key argument in the movement to abolish capital punishment in the UK.

1977 – Watergate Reaches the Cabinet

John N. Mitchell, former U.S. Attorney General and head of Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign, became the first former U.S. AG to go to prison. He began serving a 19-month sentence for his role in the Watergate cover-up, a scandal that had unraveled the very foundation of American political trust.

His imprisonment signaled that no one was above the law—not even the country’s top legal official.

1981 – John Lennon’s Killer Pleads Guilty

Mark David Chapman, who assassinated John Lennon outside The Dakota in New York City in 1980, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on this day in 1981. His statement:

“I acted alone on my own volition.”

The plea shocked prosecutors who had expected to argue an insanity defense. Chapman was later sentenced to 20 years to life, and remains imprisoned today—his parole requests repeatedly denied. Lennon's murder changed music history forever, extinguishing one of its brightest voices in an act of senseless obsession.

1982 – Espionage Charges Against Japanese Scientists

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted 18 Japanese nationals for conspiring to steal industrial secrets from IBM, marking a significant case of international corporate espionage during the tech boom of the 1980s.

The charges exposed rising tensions between U.S. and Japanese tech industries, and the growing value—and vulnerability—of proprietary innovation in the digital age.

1992 – Supreme Court Rejects Hate Speech Ban

In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down hate-crime laws that banned cross-burning and other racially biased expressions, ruling that such bans violated First Amendment free speech protections (R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul).

The ruling sparked outrage among civil rights groups but reaffirmed that even repugnant speech is constitutionally protected, opening debates that continue today about where free speech ends and hate begins.

1998 – Illegally Obtained Evidence Allowed in Parole Hearings

In a lesser-known but impactful decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that illegally obtained evidence can be used in parole revocation hearings. The Court drew a distinction between a criminal trial and supervision proceedings, effectively lowering the bar for admissibility of evidence when evaluating an offender's conduct post-conviction.

The decision raised ethical questions about how far authorities can go to ensure continued incarceration—and at what cost to civil liberties.

1964 – The Disappearance of Three Civil Rights Workers

On this day in 1964, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, three young civil rights activists, vanished in Philadelphia, Mississippi, during Freedom Summer. Their burned-out car was found shortly after, but their bodies weren’t discovered until August 4, buried in an earthen dam.

Their murder—carried out by members of the Ku Klux Klan with the complicity of local law enforcement—shocked the nation and became a catalyst for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Eight Klansmen were eventually convicted of federal conspiracy charges, but no one served more than six years.

1969 – Ralph Abernathy Arrested on Riot Charges

Rev. Ralph Abernathy, successor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), was jailed in South Carolina on riot charges after leading protests against racial injustice and poverty.

His arrest exemplified how the civil rights movement, even after major legal victories, continued to face state repression and criminalization—especially when challenging the status quo in the Deep South.

1982 – John Hinckley Jr. Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

In a verdict that sparked national outrage, a jury in Washington, D.C. found John Hinckley Jr. not guilty by reason of insanity in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.

Hinckley had shot Reagan and three others, claiming he wanted to impress actress Jodie Foster. The verdict led to sweeping reforms in how states apply the insanity defense, narrowing its scope and changing the burden of proof in many jurisdictions.

1993 – Basque Separatists Bomb Madrid

In Madrid, a car bomb planted by ETA (the Basque separatist group) killed five senior military officers and two civilians, injuring 24 more. The attack targeted a military vehicle convoy and was part of ETA’s decades-long campaign of violence for Basque independence.

The bombing underscored the deep tensions in Spanish domestic politics, and the country’s enduring struggle with terrorism, national identity, and regional autonomy.

2001 – Khobar Towers Indictments

In Alexandria, Virginia, a U.S. federal grand jury indicted 13 Saudis and a Lebanese national for their roles in the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, which killed 19 American servicemen and injured hundreds more.

The indictment accused members of Hezbollah Al-Hejaz, a group linked to Iran, of orchestrating the attack. Though some suspects remained at large, the charges revealed the global scope of anti-American terrorism before 9/11, and the growing tensions between the U.S., Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

1893 – Lizzie Borden Found Not Guilty

On this day in 1893, a jury in New Bedford, Massachusetts, found Lizzie Borden not guilty of the ax murders of her father and stepmother—a case that would become one of the most legendary in American true crime history.

Despite damning circumstantial evidence and her suspicious behavior, Lizzie walked free, forever shrouded in mystery. Her story gave rise to nursery rhymes and countless theories, securing her place in criminal folklore:

“Lizzie Borden took an axe…” — but did she really?

1967 – Muhammad Ali Convicted for Draft Refusal

Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston for refusing induction into the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, citing religious beliefs and opposition to the conflict.

His title was stripped, and he was sentenced to five years in prison (though he remained free on appeal). In 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction, cementing Ali not just as a sports icon, but a global symbol of conscience, resistance, and civil rights.

1994 – O.J. Simpson Pleads Not Guilty

In a packed Los Angeles courtroom, O.J. Simpson formally pled innocent to the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, just days after the infamous White Bronco chase gripped the nation.

This plea launched what would become the “Trial of the Century,” pitting race, fame, media, and justice against each other in a courtroom drama that captivated the world—and left behind questions still debated today.

1967 – Muhammad Ali Convicted for Draft Refusal

Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston for refusing induction into the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, citing religious beliefs and opposition to the conflict.

His title was stripped, and he was sentenced to five years in prison (though he remained free on appeal). In 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction, cementing Ali not just as a sports icon, but a global symbol of conscience, resistance, and civil rights.

2001 – Andrea Yates Arrested for Filicide

In Houston, Texas, Andrea Yates was arrested after drowning her five children in the family bathtub. Suffering from severe postpartum psychosis, Yates’ case stunned the nation with its unimaginable tragedy and raised awareness about mental illness and maternal health.

Her initial conviction was later overturned, and in a retrial, she was found not guilty by reason of insanity. She remains institutionalized, and the case endures as one of the most heartbreaking and controversial in modern American criminal history.

2002 – Supreme Court Bans Execution of Mentally Retarded Defendants

In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that executing mentally retarded individuals convicted of murder was unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment, violating the Eighth Amendment.

The decision in Atkins v. Virginia was a major milestone in death penalty reform, forcing courts to reevaluate dozens of cases and sparking national discussion about intellectual disability, culpability, and justice.

1867 – Emperor Maximilian of Mexico Executed

On this day in 1867, Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, installed by French forces, was executed by firing squad in Querétaro, after his short-lived empire collapsed under resistance from Mexican republicans led by Benito Juárez.

Despite international appeals for clemency—including from European royalty—Juárez allowed the sentence, sending a clear message that Mexico would not be ruled by foreign powers or imperialist interference. Maximilian’s execution marked the violent end of an imperial experiment and the reassertion of national sovereignty.

1953 – Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Executed for Espionage

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed at Sing Sing Prison in New York for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. They remain the only American civilians executed for espionage during peacetime in U.S. history.

Their trial and sentencing were deeply controversial, with many believing the evidence—particularly against Ethel—was circumstantial and politically charged. The execution sparked international protests and remains a dark reflection of Cold War hysteria, McCarthyism, and the thin line between justice and vengeance in times of fear.

1976 – Soweto Uprising: A Student Massacre

On June 16–19, 1976, a series of student-led protests in Soweto, South Africa, against apartheid education policies turned into a massacre. Police opened fire on unarmed schoolchildren protesting the forced use of Afrikaans in schools.

By June 19, the protests had spread, and the death toll continued to rise. At least 176 people were killed (though some estimates suggest many more), and the event galvanized global opposition to apartheid. The image of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson, shot and carried through the streets, became an enduring symbol of the struggle for freedom and justice in South Africa.

1873 – Susan B. Anthony Fined for Voting

On this day in 1873, Susan B. Anthony, pioneering suffragist and activist, was fined $100 for illegally voting in the 1872 presidential election.

When the judge asked if she had anything to say before sentencing, Anthony delivered one of the most iconic speeches in women’s rights history, declaring:

“I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty.”

She never did. Her conviction became a rallying cry for the women’s suffrage movement and highlighted the deep injustices in a system where voting was reserved for men.

1936 – Charles “Lucky” Luciano Convicted

Mob boss Charles “Lucky” Luciano, one of the most powerful figures in organized crime history, was found guilty of 62 counts of compulsory prostitution on June 18, 1936.

Luciano’s conviction came after an intense investigation by prosecutor Thomas E. Dewey, who exposed a massive sex-trafficking and extortion ring under Luciano’s control. The case marked a turning point in America’s war on the Mafia and showcased the effectiveness of building criminal cases beyond murder and racketeering.

1984 – Talk Radio Host Alan Berg Murdered

Outspoken Denver radio host Alan Berg was gunned down in his driveway by members of a white supremacist group known as The Order on June 18, 1984.

Berg, who was Jewish and frequently debated extremists on-air, was targeted for his progressive views and identity. Two men were later convicted of civil rights violations in connection with his death. The murder served as a chilling warning of the rising influence of domestic terrorism and hate-fueled violence.

1996 – Richard Allen Davis Convicted in Polly Klaas Case

In San Jose, California, Richard Allen Davis was convicted for the 1993 kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas, whose abduction during a slumber party shocked the nation.

Her death led to widespread fear and outrage, fueling the implementation of “Three Strikes” laws in California and across the U.S., aimed at keeping repeat offenders behind bars. The tragedy remains a devastating reminder of how one horrific act can reshape public policy.

1997 – Sirhan Sirhan Denied Parole Again

Sirhan Sirhan, the man who assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, was denied parole for the 10th time on this day in 1997.

Though his motive remains murky—ranging from Middle East politics to personal instability—Sirhan’s act forever altered American political history. Each parole hearing reignites debate about justice, accountability, and the lasting impact of political violence.

1972 – The Watergate Break-In That Toppled a Presidency

In the early hours of the morning, five men were arrested while attempting to burglarize the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C.

The men were later linked to President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign, setting off a chain of events that would become known as the Watergate scandal. The affair exposed government corruption, illegal surveillance, and abuse of power — ultimately leading to Nixon’s resignation in 1974, the first in U.S. history.

Watergate didn’t just change politics — it reshaped American journalism, inspired transparency reforms, and birthed the phrase “-gate” for future scandals.

1987 – Journalist Charles Glass Kidnapped in Lebanon

American journalist Charles Glass was kidnapped in Lebanon while reporting on the civil war. Held captive by Shiite Muslim extremists for 62 days, Glass made a daring escape on August 18, evading his captors under extreme conditions.

His ordeal highlighted the dangerous reality for journalists in conflict zones, and his survival became a symbol of resilience in a time when hostage-takings were common amid Lebanon’s fractured landscape.

1994 – O.J. Simpson’s White Bronco Chase Captivates the World

In a surreal fusion of crime and celebrity, O.J. Simpson led police on a low-speed chase through Los Angeles in a white Ford Bronco, while millions watched live on national TV. The slow-motion pursuit, broadcast on every major network, ended with Simpson’s arrest and charges for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

The bizarre chase — complete with roadside fans and helicopters — became a cultural flashpoint, signaling the start of the “Trial of the Century” and reshaping America’s relationship with media, race, and justice.

1971 – FBI Recovers Stolen El Greco Masterpiece

After being missing for 35 years, the FBI recovered “The Immaculate Conception”, a sketch by Spanish Renaissance master El Greco, in New York City. The work had been stolen in the 1930s and passed through shadowy hands until finally being recovered in a covert operation.

Art theft may seem like a high-society crime, but it often involves deep underworld connections, smuggling, and international intrigue. This recovery was a rare victory in the fight against cultural looting.

1979 – Ghana Executes Former Leader for Corruption

General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Ghana’s former military ruler (1972–1978), was executed by firing squad for corruption following a military tribunal. His regime had been marked by economic decline, alleged embezzlement, and political repression.

His execution was part of a broader purge by Jerry Rawlings' junta, which claimed it was restoring integrity. The event remains one of West Africa’s most dramatic reckonings with political abuse and set a precedent for how coups and counter-coups shape justice in transitional governments.

1999 – SLA Fugitive Kathleen Soliah Captured

After over 20 years on the run, Kathleen Ann Soliah — a former member of the radical Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) — was arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota under the alias Sara Jane Olsen.

Soliah had been wanted for her role in a 1975 attempted police bombing in Los Angeles and was part of the same militant group that kidnapped newspaper heiress Patty Hearst. Her suburban life in Minnesota as a housewife and mother was shattered overnight, revealing a chilling double life and reigniting public interest in 1970s domestic terrorism.

1932 – Gaston Means Sentenced in Lindbergh Baby Fraud

Gaston B. Means, a former FBI agent and notorious conman, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraud in connection with the Lindbergh baby kidnapping case. Means falsely claimed he could negotiate the child’s return, scamming a wealthy heiress out of thousands of dollars.

The case was one of the earliest examples of high-profile crime exploitation and deepened the sensationalism surrounding the tragic kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr.

1985 – Navy Diver Murdered in Flight 847 Hijacking

U.S. Navy diver Robert D. Stethem was murdered by Hezbollah hijackers aboard TWA Flight 847 on this day. His brutal killing, after being beaten and tortured, became a symbol of American victimhood in the age of international terrorism.

The event led to memorial honors in Stethem’s name, including the naming of a U.S. Navy destroyer, and remains one of the most harrowing acts of aviation-related terrorism in the 1980s.

1987 – Bernhard Goetz Acquitted of Attempted Murder

A New York jury acquitted Bernhard Goetz of attempted murder after he shot four Black teenagers on a subway, claiming they were attempting to rob him. The racially charged case sparked a nationwide debate on vigilantism, racial profiling, and self-defense.

Goetz was only convicted of illegal weapon possession, though a civil jury in 1996 ordered him to pay $43 million to one of the injured men. The case remains a flashpoint in conversations around crime and race in urban America.

1989 – Harsh Justice in Shanghai

During post-Tiananmen unrest, three Chinese workers were sentenced to death for allegedly setting a train on fire during a pro-democracy protest in Shanghai. This swift and brutal sentencing showcased the Chinese government’s harsh crackdown on dissent during a volatile chapter in its history.

1992 – U.S. Supreme Court Approves International Abductions

In a controversial decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. government can abduct foreign suspects for prosecution, even without extradition treaties. The decision, stemming from United States v. Alvarez-Machain, shocked the international legal community and strained diplomatic relations across Latin America.

1995 – “If It Doesn’t Fit…”: The O.J. Glove Moment

During one of the most iconic moments of the O.J. Simpson trial, prosecutors asked Simpson to try on a pair of gloves believed to have been worn during the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

When Simpson struggled to fit the gloves, his defense attorney, Johnnie Cochran, famously coined the phrase:

“If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”

This single demonstration shifted public perception and helped lead to Simpson’s eventual acquittal—though he would later be found liable in civil court.

1996 – IRA Bombs Manchester

On this day, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated a massive truck bomb in a busy shopping district in Manchester, England, injuring over 200 people. Though no deaths occurred, the explosion caused millions in damage and became one of the largest bombings on British soil since WWII.

1998 – Inmates Covered by ADA

In a significant win for prisoner rights, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state prison inmates are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark decision expanded civil rights protections inside prison walls and forced institutions to reevaluate conditions for disabled inmates.

1999 – Radical Fugitive Arrested After 23 Years

Kathleen Ann Soliah, a former member of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), was arrested after 23 years on the run. She was indicted in 1976 for murder conspiracy and explosives charges, stemming from her role in a series of violent crimes during the radical leftist movement of the 1970s.

Her capture stunned those who believed she had vanished forever—and reignited debates over domestic terrorism and redemption.

2003 – Harry Potter Heist in London

A trailer containing thousands of early-release copies of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” was stolen in northeast London. The high-profile book theft prompted fears of early spoilers and black-market leaks. The empty trailer was found two days later, but the mystery behind the theft remains unsolved.

2006 – SCOTUS Weakens “Knock and Announce” Rule

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that judges could not throw out evidence collected by police who had search warrants but failed to properly announce their presence. Critics saw this as a blow to Fourth Amendment protections, fueling concerns about civil liberties and aggressive police tactics.

1985 – TWA Flight 847 Hijacked

On June 14, 1985, TWA Flight 847 was hijacked shortly after takeoff from Athens, Greece, by Lebanese Shiite Muslim extremists. What followed was a 17-day ordeal that shocked the world.

The hijackers diverted the plane multiple times, demanded the release of prisoners, and brutally murdered U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem, dumping his body onto the tarmac in Beirut. The passengers were beaten, threatened, and used as pawns in a geopolitical chess match that exposed the vulnerabilities of international air travel during an era of heightened Middle Eastern tensions.

1989 – Zsa Zsa Gabor Slaps the Law

In one of the most bizarre celebrity crime headlines of the decade, Zsa Zsa Gabor was arrested in Beverly Hills for slapping a motorcycle cop during a routine traffic stop.

The Hungarian-American actress and socialite turned a minor infraction into media frenzy, delivering courtroom drama and tabloid gold. She was ultimately convicted of assault and sentenced to community service. Though comical compared to other entries, the incident showed how even Hollywood royalty isn’t above the law—no matter how glam the gloves.

1995 – Chechen Hostage Crisis in Russia

On June 14, 1995, Chechen rebels stormed a hospital in Budyonnovsk, Russia, taking over 2,000 people hostage in a bold act of terror aimed at forcing an end to Russia’s military campaign in Chechnya.

The siege lasted six days and ended in tragedy—at least 129 people were killed. The event exposed the fragility of post-Soviet stability and the rise of modern guerilla warfare, as the rebels managed to escape after using civilians as human shields.

2002 – Car Bomb at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi

In Karachi, Pakistan, a car bomb exploded outside the U.S. consulate on this day in 2002, killing 12 people and injuring over 50.

The attack, believed to be carried out by Islamist militants, came in the wake of rising anti-American sentiment and U.S. involvement in the War on Terror. It marked one of the earliest and deadliest attacks on American diplomatic sites in the 2000s and signaled the global reach of post-9/11 terrorism.

2014 – Separatists Down Ukrainian Military Plane

On June 14, 2014, pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine shot down a Ukrainian military transport plane, killing all 49 people on board.

The attack occurred during the early stages of the war in Donbas, a conflict that would escalate over the coming years and foreshadow the broader Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The shootdown underscored how hybrid warfare and proxy battles could still deliver devastating casualties in modern Europe.

1966 – The Miranda Warning Becomes Law

On June 13, 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Miranda v. Arizona. This decision forever changed American policing by requiring that criminal suspects be informed of their constitutional rights—including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney—before police interrogation.

Now known as “Miranda Rights,” these words became embedded in law enforcement and pop culture alike. The ruling was a crucial step in protecting individuals against self-incrimination and abusive interrogation tactics.

1977 – James Earl Ray Recaptured

James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was recaptured on June 13, 1977, three days after escaping from Brushy Mountain State Prison in Tennessee.

The brief escape drew national attention, reigniting conspiracy theories about King’s murder and highlighting security gaps in the prison system. Ray was returned to prison to serve out his 99-year sentence—questions about the true circumstances of King’s death, however, never fully faded.

1981 – Attempted Attack on Queen Elizabeth II

During a Trooping the Colour parade in London on this day in 1981, a teenager fired six blank shots at Queen Elizabeth II as she rode past on horseback. The queen, composed and steady, calmed her startled horse and continued with the ceremony.

The attacker, 17-year-old Marcus Sarjeant, was arrested on the spot and later sentenced to five years in prison under the Treason Act of 1842. The incident raised questions about royal security and the glorification of violence against public figures.

1994 – A Double Dose of Infamy

June 13, 1994, was a pivotal day in American legal and environmental history:

• A jury in Anchorage, Alaska, found Exxon Corp. and Captain Joseph Hazelwood reckless in the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

• That same day, O.J. Simpson was questioned by Los Angeles police regarding the brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, committed the night before. The case would go on to become the most sensationalized murder trial in U.S. history.

1996 – The Freemen Standoff Ends

In Montana, on June 13, 1996, the 81-day standoff between the anti-government Freemen militia group and the FBI ended with the group's peaceful surrender.

The Freemen, known for creating fake financial documents and rejecting federal authority, had holed up on a remote farm. The standoff underscored rising concerns about domestic extremism and sovereign citizen movements in the U.S.—tensions that continue today.

1997 – Death Sentence for Timothy McVeigh

On this day in 1997, the same Denver jury that convicted Timothy McVeigh of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing officially recommended the death penalty.

The attack had killed 168 people and shocked the nation. McVeigh remained unrepentant, becoming a symbol of domestic terrorism and anti-government extremism. He was executed in 2001.

2000 – Dr. J’s Tragic Search Ends in Grief

On June 13, NBA legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving issued a public plea for help in locating his missing 19-year-old son, Cory Erving, who had vanished weeks earlier.

Cory’s body was later found in his submerged car on July 6, bringing a heartbreaking end to the search. The incident drew attention to mental health struggles and the hidden pressures faced by children of public figures.

2005 – Michael Jackson Acquitted

On June 13, 2005, pop icon Michael Jackson was found not guilty on all 10 counts in a high-profile child molestation trial.

The verdict ignited a firestorm of public debate. For some, it was vindication. For others, it raised serious questions about celebrity influence in the justice system. Regardless, the trial marked a defining chapter in Jackson’s controversial legacy.

1931 – Al Capone and His Empire Indicted

On June 12, 1931, Al Capone, the notorious Chicago crime boss, and 68 of his men were indicted for violating U.S. Prohibition laws.

At the height of his power, Capone controlled illegal liquor, gambling, and racketeering during the Prohibition era, making him a symbol of organized crime in America. Though he dodged murder charges and other crimes, it was tax evasion and Prohibition violations that brought down his empire.
His indictment was a major victory for federal agents and signaled a turning point in the war on organized crime.

1978 – “Son of Sam” Sentenced

David Berkowitz, known as the “Son of Sam”, was sentenced on this day in 1978 to 25 years to life for each of six murders committed during a year-long killing spree that terrorized New York City.

Claiming a demon-possessed dog compelled him to kill, Berkowitz’s cryptic letters to police and media turned his crimes into a media circus. His sentence ensured he would spend the rest of his life behind bars, leaving behind a legacy of fear, obsession, and psychological intrigue.

1987 – The Fall of an Emperor: Bokassa Sentenced to Death

In 1987, former Central African Republic dictator Jean-Bédel Bokassa was sentenced to death for crimes committed during his brutal 13-year reign.

Bokassa declared himself emperor in 1977 in a lavish coronation modeled after Napoleon’s, while his regime was marked by murder, torture, and corruption. Allegations of cannibalism and child killings haunted his legacy. Though his death sentence was later commuted, the conviction was a long-overdue reckoning for a tyrant once shielded by power.

1994 – The Murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman

On the night of June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman were brutally murdered outside her Los Angeles home. The case soon gripped the nation as former NFL star O.J. Simpson became the prime suspect.

Simpson’s infamous slow-speed white Bronco chase, followed by the “Trial of the Century”, ended in a highly controversial not guilty verdict. However, in a civil trial, he was found liable for their deaths and ordered to pay millions in damages.
The case continues to spark debate about race, fame, justice, and media influence in the American legal system.

1998 – Luke Woodham Convicted in School Shooting

In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 12, 1998, Luke Woodham, age 17, was convicted of murder in the Pearl High School shooting, where he killed two students and wounded seven others.

Woodham had also murdered his mother before the school rampage. During trial, he claimed to be influenced by a satanic cult, though prosecutors emphasized his deliberate planning and lack of remorse.
His conviction marked one of the earlier major school shootings in the U.S., foreshadowing a dark trend that would escalate in the years to come.

1488 – Regicide in Scotland: The Fall of James III

On this day in 1488, James III of Scotland was murdered shortly after his defeat at the Battle of Sauchieburn near Stirling. His own nobles and political enemies—possibly including factions loyal to his son—turned against him in what became one of Scotland’s most infamous royal betrayals.

His teenage son, James IV, ascended the throne, allegedly haunted by guilt for the rest of his life. The power shift marked a new era in Scottish rule but left a lasting bloodstain on the monarchy’s legacy.

1903 – A Royal Coup: The Assassination of Serbia’s King and Queen

In the early morning hours of June 11, 1903, King Alexander I and Queen Draga of Serbia were brutally murdered in their royal palace by members of the Serbian army.

The coup was driven by political dissent, military discontent, and public outrage over the king’s rule and his unpopular queen. The couple was mutilated and thrown from a window in an act of symbolic and literal erasure. The murders led to the end of the Obrenović dynasty and paved the way for political instability that echoed into the events leading up to World War I.

1962 – The Great Escape: Alcatraz’s Most Mysterious Vanishing

On June 11, 1962, three prisoners—Clarence Anglin, John Anglin, and Frank Morris—escaped from Alcatraz, the most secure prison of its time.

They crafted dummy heads to fool guards, tunneled through the walls of their cells, and set out into the frigid San Francisco Bay on a homemade raft. They were never seen again.

The FBI later closed the case assuming they drowned, but no bodies were ever found. Their fate remains one of America’s greatest unsolved prison escape mysteries—and the stuff of legend.

1994 – Car Bomb Terror in Guadalajara, Mexico

In 1994, a car bomb exploded in Guadalajara, Mexico, killing five people. The explosion was believed to be linked to drug cartel violence, a brutal reminder of the ongoing war between the government and organized crime.

It was one of many violent incidents that defined Mexico's struggle with powerful narco-traffickers—conflicts that still claim lives and communities to this day.

2001 – The Execution of Timothy McVeigh

On this day in 2001, the U.S. federal government executed Timothy McVeigh, the domestic terrorist responsible for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168 people, including 19 children.

McVeigh was the first person executed by the federal government since 1963. Unrepentant to the end, he remained a symbol of radical extremism and the devastating impact of homegrown terrorism in America.

1924 – The Assassination of Giacomo Matteotti

On this day in 1924, Italian socialist leader Giacomo Matteotti was kidnapped and murdered by Fascist agents in Rome. Matteotti had been a vocal critic of Benito Mussolini’s regime, exposing electoral fraud and authoritarianism.

His brutal killing shocked Italy and the world, triggering a political crisis that exposed the violent underbelly of Fascism. Though his murder was intended to silence dissent, Matteotti’s death became a symbol of resistance against tyranny and oppression.

1933 – Bonnie Parker’s Near-Fatal Accident

In 1933, infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were involved in a serious car accident on a rural road in north Texas. Bonnie suffered third-degree burns, leaving her with a pronounced limp for the rest of her life.

Despite the injury, Bonnie and Clyde continued their notorious crime spree across the American Midwest, becoming legends of the Great Depression era. The accident was a grim reminder of the dangers behind their glamorous outlaw image.

1977 – The Great Escape: James Earl Ray Flees Prison

On June 10, 1977, James Earl Ray, convicted assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., escaped Brushy Mountain State Prison in Tennessee alongside six other inmates.

His freedom was short-lived; Ray was recaptured just three days later on June 13. The escape only deepened public fascination with Ray and fueled continued speculation about the circumstances surrounding King’s assassination.

1991 – The Kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard

June 10 also marks the grim beginning of Jaycee Lee Dugard’s nightmare. At just 11 years old, she was kidnapped by Phillip and Nancy Garrido in California.

Dugard was held captive for 19 years, during which she gave birth to two daughters fathered by Phillip Garrido. The Garridos pleaded guilty to the kidnapping in 2011, and Jaycee’s eventual rescue remains one of the most harrowing and miraculous stories of survival in recent history.

1995 – Bomb Blast in Medellín, Colombia

On this day in 1995, a devastating bomb exploded in Medellín, Colombia, killing 26 people. The attack was attributed to drug traffickers, highlighting the deadly violence tied to the drug cartels that plagued Colombia during this era.

Medellín, once the epicenter of Pablo Escobar’s cartel, was a city struggling to escape the shadows of narcotrafficking and its bloody consequences.

1997 – Pol Pot Executes Son Sen and Flees

In a chilling purge on June 10, 1997, Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot ordered the execution of his defense chief Son Sen and eleven members of his family.

This brutal move marked a violent fracturing within the Khmer Rouge and preceded Pol Pot’s flight from his northern stronghold. The news took three days to emerge, reflecting the secretive and deadly nature of the regime’s internal power struggles.