Today is Tuesday, April 8, the 98th day of 2014. There are 267 days left in the year.
1766 ― First fire escape patented, wicker basket on a pulley and chain
1781 ― Premiere of Mozart’s violin sonata K379
1783 ― Catharina II of Russia annexes the Krim
1879 ― Milk is sold in glass bottles for first time
1975 ― 47th Academy Awards; “Godfather II”, Ellen Burstyn and Art Carney win
1979 ― People’s Republic of China joins IOC
1985 ― India files suit against Union Carbide over Bhopal disaster
1989 ― One-handed pitcher Jim Abbott debut but lasts only 4 2/3 innings
1992 ― After 151 years Britain’s “Punch Magazine” final issue
1994 ― Smoking banned in Pentagon and all U.S. military bases