This day in history - June 5

[seamusTX]

1933 - The United States went off the gold standard.

1947 - Secretary of State George C. Marshall publicly announced the economic aid program to Europe now called the Marshall Plan.

1967 - Israel launched a preemptive attack on the Egyptian military, which was mobilizing on its border. The Six Days' War ensued.

1968 - Senator Robert F. Kennedy was shot by a lunatic in Los Angeles. He died early in the morning of the next day.

For those who care about such details, Sen. Kennedy was shot three times with a cheap 8-shot .22 revolver. Five other people were shot and recovered.

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This event, along with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr two months earlier, clinched passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968.

The assassin, Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, remains in prison in California.

1977 - The Apple II went on sale.

Though not the first commercially available PC, it was by far the most popular of the early models.

1981 - The disease now known as AIDS was recognized as a distinct syndrome.

2004 - Former President Ronald Reagan died in Los Angeles.

- Jim

[bryang]

Very good, Jim, some interesting history today. I remember when Sen. Kennedy was shot, but I did not know it was with a cheap (Saturday night special) .22!

Of course, Israel's 6 day war was very impressive.

Thanks,
-geo

[joe817]

Me too....thank you Jim. I really enjoy reading your day in history posts.

Keep up the good work!

[seamusTX]

Thanks, guys.

RFK, Ronald Reagan, and James Brady were all shot with Saturday night special .22 revolvers. The power of these weapons is often underestimated.

- Jim

[bdickens]

I really detest the pejorative term "saturday night special," as it has it's origins with racist sheriffs who wanted to keep those uppity Black folk disarmed and helpless.

[seamusTX]

I'm aware of the origin of the term Saturday night special, also formerly called suicide special. I think using it disarms it, along the lines of "saying evil black rifle."

- Jim

[WildBill]

I'm aware of the origin of the term Saturday night special, also formerly called suicide special. I think using it disarms it, along the lines of "saying evil black rifle." - Jim

Today, I even find the term "Saturday Night Special" to be almost quaint.

[bryang]

Thanks, guys.

RFK, Ronald Reagan, and James Brady were all shot with Saturday night special .22 revolvers. The power of these weapons is often underestimated.

- Jim

That is interesting that all three were shot with a .22.

I apologize if I offended anyone by using the term Saturday night special, it is a term I grew up hearing and we always thought it meant a cheap gun usually bought off the street.

There is no end to what you can learn on this forum.

-geo

[Liberty]

Thanks, guys.

RFK, Ronald Reagan, and James Brady were all shot with Saturday night special .22 revolvers. The power of these weapons is often underestimated.

- Jim

That is interesting that all three were shot with a .22.

I apologize if I offended anyone by using the term Saturday night special, it is a term I grew up hearing and we always thought it meant a cheap gun usually bought off the street.

There is no end to what you can learn on this forum.

-geo

I think the war on handguns has shifted from Saturday night specials to high capacity high power hand guns with cop killa bullets.

[seamusTX]

So-called Saturday night specials are no longer made. A friend of mine has a collection of these cheap handguns. Some cost less than $10 before the 1950s. They look and feel like cap guns. I would not dare fire one. Probably the fear of liability lawsuits put and end to them.

- Jim