Today In History

In 1827: The first U.S. railroad chartered to carry passengers and freight, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co., was incorporated.

In 1844: A 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton exploded, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Navy Secretary Thomas W. Gilmer and several others.

In 1849: The ship California arrived at San Francisco, carrying the first of the gold-seekers.

In 1861: The Territory of Colorado was organized.

In 1940: The first televised college basketball games were broadcast, by New York City station W2XBS, as Pittsburgh defeated Fordham, 57-37, and New York University beat Georgetown, 50-27, at Madison Square Garden.

In 1974: The United States and Egypt re-established diplomatic relations after a seven-year break.

In 1975: More than 40 people were killed in London’s Underground when a subway train smashed into the end of a tunnel.

In 1986: Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme was shot to death in central Stockholm.

In 1993: A gun battle erupted at a compound near Waco, Texas when Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents tried to serve warrants on the Branch Davidians; four agents and six Davidians were killed as a 51-day standoff began.