This Week in History

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

~George Santayana

August 9: In 1974, on this date, Gerald Ford became president of the United States after an unusual succession of the Presidency.  President Ford was nominated for the position of the Vice President under President Nixon after his Vice President, Spiro Agnew, resigned for tax evasion and bribery.  Following him taking the Vice Presidency, President Richard Nixon resigned.  After the order of succession, Gerald Ford became the 38th President;  Also on this day in history in 1945, the second atomic bomb was dropped on Japan in the industrial city of Nagasaki.  The bomb was deployed after Japan did not surrender after the first atomic bomb was unleashed on Hiroshima.  This convinced Japan into an unconditional surrender.

August 10: Smithsonian Institution opened in 1846 on this date.  Since its opening, the Smithsonian has grown to be the largest museum and research facility in the world.  It consists of 19 museums, a national zoo, and 9 research facilities.

August 11: On this date in history the first group of prisoners arrived at Alcatraz in 1934.  This federal penitentiary housed America’s most dangerous prisoners from 1934 to 1963;  Well-known prisoners include Al Capone and Robert Stroud.  Alcatraz was shut down in 1963 due to high operating costs.  Also on this date in 1965, the Watts Riots began in Los Angeles, California.  These riots began after an African American motorist was pulled over for driving while intoxicated, and a small roadside disagreement soon turned into a major riot.  Following this a series of arsons began, mainly involving businesses of white ownership.  This riot ended on August 17.  There was a total of 34 deaths and more than $40 million in property damage.

August 12: On this day in history in 1676, King Phillip’s War came to an end.  This was a two-year war that occurred between the Native Americans and English colonists.

August 13: On this day in 1961, Soviet Union soldiers began laying down barbed wire to create the Berlin Wall.  The Berlin Wall separated East and West Berlin, and is known as one of the most iconic symbols of the Cold War.  The fall of the Berlin Wall occurred in 1989.

August 14:  On this date in history in 1945, Japan announced their surrender of WWII in 1945.  This day became known as V-J Day for Victory in Japan Day.  This officially ended the WWII.  The formal surrender occurred on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay, Japan on the USS Missouri.
Staff Reporter Maddie Wright