1896-Tsunami strikes Shinto festival on beach at Sanriku Japan
27,000 are killed, 9,000 injured, with 13,000 houses destroyed
1915-US government mints 1st $50 gold pieces, for Panama Pacific Expo
1924-Native Americans are proclaimed US citizens
1947-1st night game at Detroit Briggs Stadium (Tigers 4, Athletics 1)
1962-South Africa passes a bill setting death penalty for many crimes
1969-"Hee Haw" with Roy Clark & Buck Owens premiers on CBS TV
1977-Spain's 1st free elections since 1936
1980 Jorge Orta of Cleveland gets 6 hits in a baseball game
1982-Riots in Argentina after Falklands/Malvinas defeat
1983-Supreme Court struck down state & local restrictions on abortion
1989-Ronald Reagan is knighted by Queen Elizabeth
1990-"Dick Tracy" with Warren Beatty & Madonna premiers
1991-Philippines volcano Mount Pinatubo erupts
1992-Ghana Airways inaugurates flights to JFK Airport (NYC)