The Spindletop oil field in Beaumont, Texas, produced the Lucas Gusher, heralding the start of the Texas oil boom, and more events that happened on this day in history.
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1863: The London Underground
In 1863, the London Underground had its beginnings as the Metropolitan, the world’s first underground passenger railway, opened to the public with service between Paddington and Farringdon Street.
1901: Spindletop Oil Field
In 1901, the Spindletop oil field in Beaumont, Texas, produced the Lucas Gusher, heralding the start of the Texas oil boom.
1917: William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody
In 1917, legendary Western frontiersman and showman William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody died at his sister’s home in Denver at age 70.
1920: The League of Nations
In 1920, the League of Nations was established as the Treaty of Versailles (vehr-SY’) went into effect.
1967: Lyndon B. Johnson
In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson, in his State of the Union address, asked Congress to impose a surcharge on both corporate and individual income taxes to help pay for his “Great Society” programs as well as the war in Vietnam.
1984: The Vatican
In 1984, the United States and the Vatican established full diplomatic relations for the first time in more than a century.
2002: Guantanamo Bay
In 2002, Marines began flying hundreds of al-Qaida prisoners in Afghanistan to a U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
2007: George W. Bush
In 2007, President George W. Bush said he took responsibility for any mistakes in Iraq and announced an increase in U.S. troops there to quell violence.
2011: Auburn
Ten years ago: No. 1 Auburn beat No. 2 Oregon 22-19 on a last-second field goal to win the BCS national title.
2011: Jared Loughner
Ten years ago: The nation got its first look at Jared Loughner, the accused assailant of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, as a federal judge in Phoenix ordered the 22-year-old suspect held without bail.
2011: Tom DeLay
Ten years ago: A judge in Austin, Texas, ordered former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to serve three years in prison for his money laundering conviction. (DeLay’s conviction was ultimately overturned.)
2016: David Bowie
Five years ago: David Bowie, the chameleon-like star who transformed the sound — and the look — of rock with his audacious creativity and his sexually ambiguous makeup and costumes, died in New York.
2016: France
Five years ago: French President Francois Hollande and other dignitaries held a special ceremony to honor those killed in Islamic extremist attacks around Paris in 2015.
2016: Golden Globes
Five years ago: At the Golden Globes, “The Revenant” won best motion picture drama while “The Martian” was recognized as best comedy film.
2020: The Trump Administration
One year ago: The Trump administration announced a new wave of sanctions on Iran following the missile strikes earlier in the week from Iran against U.S. bases in Iraq.
2020: Virginia
One year ago: In the first of a series of contentious votes on gun legislation, state lawmakers in Virginia voted to ban guns at the state Capitol; Democrats held a full majority at the state house for the first time in a generation.
