Today in True Crime
There’s never an ordinary day in true crime history. Flip back the calendar and see how one fateful day can ripple through time. Today in True Crime is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
51
September 12, 1943: David Bacon Dies
On this day in 1943, Hollywood actor David Bacon died of a mysterious stab wound while driving his car.
15 min
52
September 11, 1776: Staten Island Conference of...
On this day in 1776, three representatives of the Continental Congress met with British Admiral Richard Howe in Staten Island, New York.
13 min
53
September 10, 1897: Lattimer Massacre
On this day in 1897, a sheriff’s posse gunned down 19 unarmed coal miners in Lattimer, Pennsylvania.
14 min
54
September 9, 1939: U Ottama Dies in Jail
On this day in 1939, Sayadaw U Ottama, Buddhist monk and non-violent revolutionary, starved to death.
13 min
55
September 8, 1888: Annie Chapman’s Body Found
On this day in 1888, the mutilated body of 47-year-old Annie Chapman was found in Whitechapel, England.
14 min
56
September 7, 1989: San Francisco Brinks Robbery
On this day in 1989, a pair of bandits shot two security guards and one onlooker while robbing a Brinks truck in San Francisco.
14 min
57
September 6, 1901: President William McKinley Shot
On this day in 1901, anarchist Leon Czolgosz shot President William McKinley at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The president died eight days later.
14 min
58
September 5, 1986: Pan Am Flight 73 Hijacked
On this day in 1986, four hijackers attacked Pan Am Flight 73 on a runway in Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of over twenty passengers and crew.
13 min
59
September 4, 1949: Peekskill Riots
On this day in 1949, Black singer Paul Robeson performed a concert to benefit the Civil Rights Congress near Peekskill, New York.
13 min
60
September 3, 2012: Sun Myung Moon Dies
On this day in 2012, the self-proclaimed messiah accused of cult-like behavior, Sun Myung Moon, died at the age of 92.
12 min
61
September 2, 1885: Rocks Spring Massacre
On this day in 1885, a mob of white nationalists slaughtered 28 Chinese miners and wounded 15 more in Rock Springs, Wyoming—all in the name of a union uprising.
14 min
62
September 1, 1969: Libya Coup
On this day in 1969, a military group led by captain Muammar Gaddafi orchestrated a coup and seized control of Libya.
13 min
63
August 31, 1985: Richard Ramirez Captured
On this day in 1985, serial killer Richard Ramirez was chased down by a mob of angry Angelenos and caught by police.
14 min
64
August 30, 1885: Mary Ramey Killed
On this day in 1885, an 11-year-old girl named Mary Ramey was murdered in Austin, Texas.
12 min
65
August 29, 1985: Joann Hobson Disappears
On this day in 1985, 16-year-old Joann Hobson went missing from her hometown of Stockton, California—marking the inception of a gruesome, tragic tale.
13 min
66
August 28, 1849: The Fall of San Marco
On this day in 1849, the Republic of San Marco—or Venice, Italy as we know it today—lost its brief independence and was forced back under the Austrian Empire’s control.
15 min
67
August 27, 1660: John Milton’s Books Burned
On this day in 1660, King Charles II commanded English poet John Milton’s books burned in the city of London.
14 min
68
August 26, 2009: Jaycee Dugard Rescued
On this day in 2009, Jaycee Lee Dugard reappeared at a parole office in Concord, California.
15 min
69
August 25, 1948: Confrontation Day
On this day in 1948, the House Un-American Activities Committee held a highly anticipated and televised congressional hearing, known as “Confrontation Day.”
13 min
70
August 24, 410 C.E.: Visigoths Sack Rome
On this day in 410 C.E., the Visigoths, led by King Alaric, became the first group of people to sack Rome.
15 min
71
August 23, 1927: Sacco and Vanzetti Executed
On this day in 1927, two Italian-born anarchists were executed for a robbery they possibly didn’t commit.
12 min
72
August 22, 1864: First Geneva Convention
On this day in 1864, twelve nations signed the First Geneva Convention, which established neutral, war-time medical services for all soldiers.
14 min
73
August 21, 2014: Robert Hansen Dies
On this day in 2014, serial killer Robert Hansen died in prison. Known as the “Butcher Baker,” Hansen raped, tortured, and killed at least 17 women before his capture.
14 min
74
August 20, 14 C.E.: Postumus Agrippa Murdered
On this day in 14 C.E., Postumus Agrippa, the grandson and potential heir of the late Roman emperor Augustus, was executed under mysterious circumstances.
14 min
75
August 19, 1692: Salem Witch Trials
On this day in 1692, five residents of Salem, Massachusetts—including a clergyman—were hanged to death for the crime of witchcraft.
14 min