On this date in 1992, California residents rioted and caused 54 deaths and damages costing one billion dollars after a trial jury acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of some charges in the beating of Rodney King.

On this date in 1986, the worst nuclear reactor accident occurred in Chernobyl in the Soviet Union. An explosion and fire sent radioactivity into the air. At least 31 Soviets died immediately, and many more persons died from radiation poisoning.

On this date in 1961, about 1,500 C.I.A.-trained Cuban exiles launched a botched invasion of Cuba and failed to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro.