[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

April 30.

1492. Spain gives Christopher Columbus a commission of exploration.

1792. On the balcony of Federal Hall, on Wall Street, New York City, New York, George Washington takes the oath of office to become the first President of the United States.

1803. America purchases the Louisiana Territory from the French, doubling the size of the young nation. The purchase price is about $15 million (consisting of a payment to France and forgiveness of debts), or about three cents per acre. The territory had a population of 97,000 pursuant ot the 1810 census. The area acquired represents 27% of the current landmass of the United States and all or part of 14 states (and two Canadian provinces).

The original document reflecting the agreement to purchase the Louisiana Territory was on display at the entrance hall of Barings Bank's headquarters in London until the bank's collapse in 1995. The bank had financed/mediated the purchase of the territory between FRance and America. The document is now in the possession fo ING Group, which acquired Barings after its failure.

1975. Saigon falls to Communist forces. The South Vietnamese President surrenders, formally ending the Vietnam War.



1945. The quality of the human race improves greatly as Adolph Hitler and his mistress, Eva Braun, commit suicide at the Fuhrerbunker.

That's a pretty big day.