Today in History – 7 December

Dec 7 1941

A Day That Will Live In Infamy.

Dec 7 1982

Texas murderer Charlie Brooks in becomes the first person executed in the United States by that newfangled lethal injection.

Dec 7 1982

Armenian earthquake kills 100,000.

Dec 7 1987

David Burke, a recently fired airline employee, stalks his ex-boss onboard a Pacific Southwest Airline jet. He shoots the man in mid-flight and causes the plane to crash, killing all 43 people onboard.

Dec 7 1993

Colin Ferguson opens fire on the Long Island Railroad, killing 6 and injuring 17 others. His attorney William Kunstler tried to use a “black rage” defense, but Ferguson fired him and represented himself. What resulted was a bizarre proceeding of Ferguson claiming innocence and that he was a “patsy” of the government. The trial ended with six consecutive life sentences.

Dec 7 1995

Disgruntled postal employee John Pitney arrives at his Denver workplace in a dress and is placed on administrative leave. Pitney returns later that day in the same dress but sporting a strap-on dildo and gorilla mask. He is arrested. God bless America and God bless the US Postal Service.