This Day In History

• 1690- The first paper money in America was issued by the Massachusetts colony. The currency was used to pay soldiers who were fighting in the war against Quebec. Of course then, the paper was worth more than paper.
• 1913 - The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified. This grants Congress the authority to collect income taxes. And then they promptly changed the meaning of the word Income. Before it was any profit you made. They changed it to any monies you earned. Any guess as to which Party ?
• 1917 - When Germany announced a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations. Pretty stupid move on Germany's part.
• 1941 - In Vichy, France, the Nazis used force to restore Pierre Laval to office. But what the hell, not like France mattered.
• 1959 - The Day The Music Died - Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and "The Big Bopper" perish when their plane crashes near Clear Lake, Iowa.
• 1966 -The Soviet Union's Lunik 9 becomes the first spacecraft to successfully achieve a controlled "soft-landing" on the moon. Of cource they never could put a man (oh, sorry, a human) on the moon... Why haven't we gone back ?
• 1984 - Challenger 4 was launched as the tenth space shuttle mission.
• 1994 - A 19-year-old trade embargo against Vietnam is lifted by President Clinton. Nuff said.
• 1998 - Texas executed Karla Faye Tucker. She was the first woman executed in the U.S. since 1984. So why not check out why she deserved it ?