Let’s look at major events that happened today in history;
Today in History
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1989 – Loma Prieta Earthquake Rocks California
Santa Cruz County was the most affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake. About 60 people died as a result of falling buildings and landslides. It was the first major earthquake on the San Andreas fault since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
Story
On October 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake jolted the San Francisco Bay area. The quake’s epicentre was near Loma Prieta Peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The magnitude 6.9 quake was the most powerful the state had experienced in several years.
The mighty San Andreas Fault triggered the Loma Prieta earthquake, where the massive Pacific plate slipped northwestward. During the quake, the epicentre slipped up to two meters.
The Loma Prieta earthquake caused 63 deaths, 3,757 injuries, and about $6 billion in damage. Many casualties occurred as parts of several transportation routes, including the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and a busy freeway, collapsed.
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1973 – OPEC Declares Oil Embargo
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries or OPEC led by Arab countries declared an oil embargo on any country that supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War, which was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab states. The embargo led to a massive oil shortage and had long-lasting economic effects in the United States and Europe. The embargo was lifted in March 1974.
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1956 – Bobby Fischer Wins the Game of the Century
The chess match between 13-year-old Fischer and Donald Byrne occurred at the Marshall Chess Club in New York City.
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1861 – Cullin-la-Ringo Massacre
In what is thought to be the largest massacre of white settlers by Australian aborigines, the killings occurred after a group of settlers from Victoria led by politician Horatio Wills, set up a camp at Cullin-la-Ringo, which is located in present-day Central Queensland. 19 people were killed during the massacre.
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1814 – London Beer Flood
Vats of beer at the Meux and Company Brewery burst, flooding city streets with 610,000 litres of beer. The almost 15 feet tall wave of porter killed 8 people, some of whom were gathered for a funeral.
