On this Date in 1900...

...the German liner SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse becomes the first ship to send wireless signals to shore.  Those on the other end assume they are receiving a communication from "beyond the grave" and promptly burn the receiving station to the ground because of "demonic" activity.

On this Date in 1945...

...Cologne is captured by American Troops.  Mostly because of the pleasant aroma.

On this Date in 1860...

...Parma, Tuscany, Modena and Romagna vote in referendums to join the Kingdom of Sardinia.  Though many found the election results rather fishy, the majority of the population were ok with it.

On this Date in 1918...

...the first known case of the so-called Spanish flu was first observed at Fort Riley, Kansas, US.  This strain of the flu was distinctive due to it's ability to quickly conquer a weak or inferior individual, then suddenly peter out due it's inability to effectively manage it.

On this Date in 1575...

...Indian Mughal Emperor Akbar defeats Bengali army at the Battle of Tukaroi.  This event was made even more momentous considering Emperor Akbar thought he was walking into a trap, yet was able to overcome his foes.

On this Date in 1807...

...the U.S. Congress passes an act to "prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States... from any foreign kingdom, place, or country."  Which worked out extremely well, and helped the country avoid a full blown civil war...or did it?

On this Date in 1910...

...the worst avalanche in United States history buries a Great Northern Railway train in northeastern King County, Washington, killing 96 people.  Of course, had the train not been there at the time it would have been "Just Another Avalanche".