Hollow Leg History | August 16 - a podcast by The Hollow Leg

1777 - American militiamen defeat British forces at the Battle of Bennington near Vermont, during the American Revolutionary War.

1780 - American troops are badly defeated by the British at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina.

1812 - Fort Detroit Surrenders. Recognizing that his enemy is massing forces he can't take on, and fearing for his family, General William Hull surrenders Fort Detroit to the British. The action will result in a death penalty, but Hull's sentence will be pardoned due to his previous Revolutionary War heroism.

1858 - The First Transatlantic Telegraph Message is sent. The message sent by Britain’s Queen Victoria to American President James Buchanan, read ‘Europe and America are united by telegraphic communication. Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill to men.’ The cable, which cut down the time of communication between the two continents was successful only for a few months. Technical difficulties led to the cable being closed in October of 1858.

1896 - Family finds mother lode near the Klondike. George Carmack, Skookum Jim Mason (aka Keish), and other family members experience a 'eureka' moment when they find a large gold deposit on the banks of a Klondike tributary. When news of their discovery begins to spread, more than 100,000 prospectors will head to the area, but only a few will strike it rich.

1920 - Batter sustains fatal injury at plate. On August 16, 1920, Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman is struck in the temple by a ball pitched by Carl Mays of the New York Yankees. He died 12 hours later. This was the first and only death to occur as the result of a pitched ball in major league history. 

1948 - Babe Ruth dies. On August 16, 1948, baseball legend George Herman “Babe” Ruth dies from cancer in New York City. For two days following, his body lay in state at the main entrance to Yankee Stadium, and tens of thousands of people stood in line to pay their last respects.

1960 - Cyprus Attains Freedom From the British. The mediterranean island country first came under British control in the early 20th century as a strategic British outpost. In 1925, it was formally added to the British Empire. the London and Zurich Agreements signed in February 1959 gave independence to Cyprus and set up a system of governance based on ethnicity.

1977 - Elvis Presley dies. Popular music icon Elvis Presley dies in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 42. The death of the “King of Rock and Roll” brought legions of mourning fans to Graceland, his mansion in Memphis. Doctors said he died of a heart attack, likely brought on by his addiction to prescription barbiturates.

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