1934: Strikers injured on 'Bloody Thursday'

At least 34 people were shot, two killed and hundreds injured by the San Francisco police when fights broke out today between the city's police force and strikers. Two months earlier, dock workers along the West Coast went on strike for better hours and pay, a union hiring hall and a coast-wide contract.

"San Francisco was swept today by the bloodiest day of rioting in three quarters of a century. Striking maritime workers, pitting themselves against police, terrorized half of the waterfront and the warehouse area of the city. Fires were set. Windows were smashed. Traffic was tied up. Trucks were overturned," reported the Nevada State Journal on July 6, 1934. "For the next hour, police and strikers and their sympathizers fought with fists, clubs and finally riot guns, revolvers, tear-gas and at last a vicious, nausea-creating gas recently introduced into police work."

NOTE: In total, the West Coast Waterfront Strike lasted 83 days with longshoremen returning to work on July 31. The strike led to the unionization of all West Coast ports in the United States.

Links to the Past
Guard Called After Police Shoot 34 in Strike Battle
The Syracuse Herald, July 6, 1934

Troops Rule S.F. Docks After Riots
Nevada State Journal, July 6, 1934

Continued: Troops Rule S.F. Waterfront


Tieup of San Francisco Result of Long-Sustained
Middletown Times Herald, July 16, 1934

Independence Day Holiday

July 4th is Independence Day in the U.S., though it is celebrated all weekend. This federal holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Edinburgh Advertiser, out of Scotland, had this to say on July 9, 1776: “It was a little premature in the continental Congress to issue their resolve at Philadelphia, dated May 15, declaring themselves an independent people, as on the 20th they received an express from Montreal, with an account of their forces having totally dispersed themselves on the arrival of two or three English Frigates at Quebec. The resolve for independency was however published, so could not be recalled. It is to be observed, that the resolve was carried by a strong majority, and signed by John Hancock, Esq., once of the Bostonian delegates, whose principles, as well as those of his constituents, are well known.”

Though Independence day has been celebrated since 1777, when the Continental Congress had an official dinner with 13-gun salutes, toasts, a parade and fireworks, it was not an official federal holiday until 1870, and not a paid holiday until 1941. Read through some of the 4th of July articles below.

Links to the Past
A letter received…
The Edinburgh Advertiser, July 9, 1776

In Congress, July 4, 1776
Idaho State Journal, July 4, 1976

Bicentennial Edition
The Daily Times, July 4, 1776

In Congress, July 4, 1776
The Bridgeport Post, July 4, 1976

Happy Birthday America!
The Daily Inter Lake, July 4, 1976

1998: Mars probe enters orbit

"Japan's Planet-B probe to Mars began orbiting Earth and the moon today in the first effort by a nation other than the two former Cold War superpowers to visit another world," informed The Chronicle Telegram on July 5, 1998. "Planet-B, renamed Nozomi or 'Hope' after lift-off, is scheduled to begin beaming back photographs and experimental data from the Red Planet in October 1999." NOTE: The spacecraft was never able to reach Mars, as it suffered electrical failures and was lost in orbit around the Sun.

Links to the Past
Japan Launches Mars Probe
The Chronicle Telegram, July 5, 1998

Quietly, Japan Builds One of the World's Leading Space Programs
The Gettysburg Times, July 8, 1998

Scientists Fix Mars Probe's Course
The Post-Standard, December 22, 1998

1996: Scientists create Dolly the Sheep

A sheep was successfully cloned today, producing Dolly, the first cloned mammal. "The lamb was cloned from a 6-year-old ewe, using tissue taken from the ewe's udder. Scientists hadn't thought a whole mammal could be regenerated from mature body cells that were specialized for something other than reproduction," reported The Capital on February 24, 1997. "Before the new work, scientists had been able to take tissue from adult frogs and create genetically identical tadpoles. But the tadpoles never developed fully into frogs." NOTE: The Roslin Institute in Scotland did not announce the cloning until February of 1997.

Links to the Past
First Mammal Cloned
The Capital, February 24, 1997

Brave New World
Syracuse Herald Journal, February 24, 1997

Sheep Cloner Says Cloning People 'Inhumane'
The Gettysburg Times, March 13, 1997

Tale of Two Lambs
Syracuse Herald Journal, December 19, 1997

1947: Doby is first African-American to join American League

"Larry Doby, first Negro player in the 47-year history of the American League, made his debut in a Cleveland Indian uniform today by striking out as a pinch-hitter against the Chicago White Sox," explained The Charleston Gazette on July 6, 1947. "Obviously nervous, the 22-year-old Doby of Paterson, N.J. who was purchased by Cleveland last Thursday from the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League, got a rousing hand from a Comiskey park crowd of more than 18,000 as he stepped up to bat for pitcher Bryan Stephens." NOTE: Doby was selected to join the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. For more information about professional baseball history, visit our free Pro Baseball Archive

Links to the Past
Indians Sign Negro to Play at Second for Cleveland Club
Joplin Globe, July 5, 1947

Sees Scramble for Negro Stars
Winnipeg Free Press, July 5, 1947

Indians' Negro Fans in Debut
The Charleston Gazette, July 6, 1947

1865: Salvation Army is formed

William Booth today established the Christian Mission, which was later renamed the Salvation Army. "Out of this realization came the early emergency shelters for the homeless, food depots for the hungry, workshops for the jobless and an ever-growing network of specialized services and institutions," reported the Nevada State Journal on May 23, 1966. With the goal of fighting poverty and religious indifference, Booth molded the organization around the British army, with ministers labeled as officers and new members called recruits.

Links to the Past
Salvation Army Enters Its Second Century
Nevada State Journal, May 23, 1966

Maker of an Army for God
Winnipeg Free Press, October 22, 1937