Epic Idiot's what happened
On This Day

June 12

1994
O.J. Simpson: The Football Hall of Fame running back's ex-wife and her 25-year-old male friend are murdered at her home. Simpson was later arrested for the murder.

1992
The Faberge Imperial Easter Egg, created in 1905, is auctioned by Sotherby's for $3,190,000; the record for any Russian art piece.

1991
Boris Yeltsin becomes the first popularly elected president in Russian history.

1988
First American to win the Tour of Italy bicycle race: 26-year-old Andy Hampsten wins one of the most important events in bike racing.

1981
Baseball: Professional Baseball's first mid-season strike begins.

1979
First man-powered flight across the English Channel: 26-year-old American Bryan Allen pedalling the 70-pound Gossamer Albatross, designed by Paul MacCready. The 22-mile flight took 2 hours and 49 minutes.

1967
Banning of interracial marriage is ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, bringing to an end such laws in 16 states.

1963
Civil-rights activist killed: Medgar Evers, the NAACP's Mississippi field secretary, is shot to death outside his home. Byron De La Beckwith, whose fingerprints were found on the murder weapon, was tried twice in 1965, but all-white juries failed to reach a verdict.

1956
Army Flag: The 181-year-old U.S. Army adopts its first official flag. It consists of a blue Department of the Army seal above a scarlet scroll on a white background.

1948
First jockey to win the Triple Crown twice: Eddie Arcaro riding Citation to win the Belmont Stakes - having already won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. He had previously won the Triple Crown in 1941.

1947
First American to win the British Women's Amateur Golf Tournament: Babe Didrikson Zaharias.

1939
Baseball Hall of Fame: The national museum and Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York is dedicated. The first inductees - selected in 1936 - were Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner, and Christy Mathewson. (Source: Famous First Facts)

1931
Al Capone: The gangster and 68 of his men are arrested for bootlegging by the Chicago police unit known as the "Untouchables."

1930
First championship boxing match decided on a foul: Jack Sharkey fouls Max Schmeling in the 4th round at the New York City Polo Grounds. A week later Schmeling was awarded the heavyweight championship. (Source: Famous First Facts)

1898
Philippines declare independence from Spain.

1839
First baseball game: According to a 1907 report, commissioned by major-league baseball executives, Abner Doubleday taught his new game to military cadets in Copperstown, New York on this date. Modern historians dispute this event.

1838
Territory of Iowa is established by Congress.

1775
First Naval battle of the American Revolution: Jeremiah O'Brien of Machias Bay, Maine and 40 men armed with guns, swords, pitchforks, and axes capture an armed British schooner.

1667
First blood transfusion on a human. A French physician infuses 9 ounces of lamb's blood into 15-year-old boy, who makes a full recovery.

1943
Reg Presley, British singer, with the Troggs. Music: Wild Thing (1966, #1).

1932
Jim Nabors, American actor, singer. TV: Gomer Pyle, USMC (title role).

1929     d. 1945
Anne Frank, Dutch-Jewish war victim. Her diary, which chronicled her family and friends hiding in an attic from the Germans, has been read by millions. She died in a Nazi concentration camp.

1928
Vic Damone (Vito Farinola), American singer, You're Breaking My Heart (1949, #1), and On The Street Where You Live (1956) from My Fair Lady.

1924
George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st U.S. President (1989-93) and 43rd U.S. Vice-President (1981-89).

1916
Irwin Allen, American producer. TV: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and Lost in Space.

1914     d. 1975
William Lundigan, American radio announcer, actor, appeared in over 120 films. TV: Climax (host).

1851     d. 1940
Sir Oliver Joseph Lodge, English physicist, spiritualist, pioneer in wireless telegraphy.

1837     d. 1904
Samuel Warren Abbott, American physician, pioneer public health statistician, he published the first adequate public study in the U.S. (1900).

1819     d. 1875
Charles Kingsley, English clergyman, author. Writings: Westward Ho! (1855).

1806     d. 1869
John Augustus Roebling, German-born American civil engineer, designer of the Brooklyn Bridge. His use of wire rope enabled him to build suspension bridges thought impossible by other engineers. He died of tetanus from injuries received while inspecting the Brooklyn Bridge.

2003     b. 1916
Gregory Peck, American Oscar-winning actor. Film: Roman Holiday (1953), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962, Oscar), and The Omen (1976).

1980     b. 1904
Milburn Stone, American Emmy-winning actor. TV: Gunsmoke (Doc Adams).

1957     b. 1904
Jimmy Dorsey, American bandleader of the Big Band Era, brother of Tommy.

1878     b. 1794
William Cullen Bryant, American poet, called the "Father of American Poets." He is considered to be the first noteworthy American poet.

816     b. ????
Saint Leo III, Italian religious leader, 96th Pope (795-816).

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