25 Years Ago

April 24, 1980 An attempted military rescue of American hostages in Iran is aborted after three out of eight helicopters malfunction. During the withdrawal another helicopter collides with a transport plane, killing eight soldiers. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance resigns within days, expressing his opposition to the rescue plan.

May 18, 1980 In southwestern Washington State, Mount St.
Helens, a volcano that had been dormant for more than a century, explodes with enormous fury. Despite warnings of the imminent eruption, 57 people die in the catastrophe, which levels 120 square miles of trees and causes a multitude of fires, floods, and mudslides.

100 Years Ago

April 17, 1905 In Lochner v. New York , the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a New York State law limiting bakers to a
10-hour workday as a violation of the right to free contract.

175 Years Ago

April 6, 1830 In Fayette, New York, Joseph Smith and five others organize the Church of Christ (later called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), better known as the Mormons.

200 Years Ago

April 26, 1805 Led by William Eaton, a small force of Arab
mercenaries, joined by seven Marines, seizes the port of Derna, in present-day Libya. The incident will be remembered in the words of the “Marine Hymn”: “To the shores of Tripoli.”

225 Years Ago

May 25, 1780 At Gen. George Washington’s camp near Morristown, New Jersey, two regiments mutiny, demanding full rations and payment of back wages. The revolt is suppressed and two of its leaders are hanged.