Epic Idiot's what happened
On This Day

August 21

2006
Pres. Bush: When asked what the Iraq had to do with the 9-11 attacks, Bush answered, "Nothing, except for it's part of -- and nobody has ever suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq was a -- the lesson of September the 11th is, take threats before they fully materialize, Ken. Nobody has ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq." (www.whitehouse.gov)

1993
Mars Observer: NASA loses contact with the $980 million spacecraft, which had been scheduled to arrive at Mars on the 24th. It is believed that a fuel line ruptured causing it to lose power.

1986
Toxic gases kill 1,700 people in Cameroon. The gases were from a volcanic lake.

1968
Soviet Union invades Czechoslovakia.

1968
First black marine to receive the Medal of Honor for the Vietnam War: PFC James Anderson, Jr. posthumously receives the honor. He was killed by an enemy grenade he jumped on to save his comrades.

1959
Hawaii becomes the 50th state.

1919
Pearl Harbor Dry Dock formally opens.

1888
William Seward Burroughs patents his push-key adding machine.

1878
American Bar Association is founded.

1863
Civil War: 450 Confederate raiders attack Lawrence, Kansas killing 150 civilians and destroying the town. The leader of the group had previously been denied a commission in the Confederate Army because of barbaric methods. (Source: The Civil War Day by Day)

1858
Abraham Lincoln, in a debate with Stephen Douglas, again states "This government cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free."

1974
Amy Fisher, American criminal, "The Long Island Lolita." She shot boyfriend Joey Buttafuoco's wife Mary Jo (1992).

1950
Arthur Herman Bremer, American criminal, shot Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace (1972).

1944
Jackie DeShannon, American singer, songwriter, Put A Little Love in Your Heart (1969, #4) and wrote Betty Davis Eyes (1975, #1 for Kim Carnes).

1939
Clarence Williams III, American actor. TV: The Mod Squad (Lincoln Hayes).

1938
Kenny Rogers, American Grammy-winning singer. Music: Lucille (1977, #1), The Gambler (1978), Lady (1980, #1), and Islands in the Stream (1983, #1).

1936
Wilt Chamberlain, American basketball Hall of Famer, considered the greatest defensive player in history, and holder of numerous pro basketball records, including most points in a game (100 in 1962).

1930
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon and sister of Queen Elizabeth II.

1904     d. 1984
Count Basie (William Basie), American jazz pianist, bandleader. Music: One O'Clock Jump, Swingin' the Blues and Tickle Toe.

1896     d. 1978
Blossom Rock (Blossom MacDonald), American actress, Grandmama of The Addams Family.

1765     d. 1837
William IV, King of England (1830-37).

1754     d. 1839
William Murdock, Scottish inventor of the oscillating steam engine (c1784). He also made the first practical use of gas lighting (1802).

1643     d. 1683
Alfonso VI, King of Portugal (1656-67). He was deposed by his brother and driven into exile.

1165     d. 1223
Philip II, King of France (1180-1223) and responsible for building the Louvre in Paris.

1993     b. 1938
Tatiana Troyanos, American mezzo-soprano singer, known for her roles as Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier and Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro.

1983     b. 1932
Benigno Aquino Jr., Philippine politician, dissident. He was assassinated at the Manilla airport upon returning to the Philippines.

1940     b. 1863
Ernest Thayer, American journalist, author of the poem Casey at the Bat (1888).

1905     b. 1831
Mary Mapes Dodge, American author. Writings: Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates (1865).

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