March 6th is marked by several iconic events in American history including the fall of the Alamo, the Supreme Court’s infamous Dred Scott decision and the retirement of Walter Cronkite. It is also the anniversary of the incorporation of Toronto.
1836
The Alamo Falls
After a 13-day siege, Mexican General Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo, killing between 182 and 257 Texans (including Davey Crockett) with no survivors. It became a rallying cry for the Texas independence fight. Today the Alamo is Texas’ top tourist attraction.
1857
Dred Scott Decision
The Supreme Court rejected a petition by Dred Scott, a slave who sued for his freedom based on moving to a free territory. Under pressure from President Buchanan to finally resolve the slavery question, the Court only inflamed matters with its decision that
African Americans] had for more than a century before been regarded as beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations; and so far inferior, that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect; and that the negro might justly and lawfully be reduced to slavery for his benefit.
The decision is widely denounced as the worst Supreme Court decision in history. Chief https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OML9AVR10PQJustice C.E. Hughes, called it the court’s “greatest self-inflicted wound.”
1981
Walter Cronkite Signs Off After 19 Years as Anchor
After 19-years as anchor of the CBS Evening News, legendary reporter Walter Cronkite signed off for the final time.
2007
Scooter Libby Convicted
On this day, Scooter Libby, who served as Chief of Staff to Vice President Cheney, was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with his role in the leaking of classified employment information about Valerie E. Wilson (Valerie Plame), a covert CIA agent and the wife of former Ambassador Joe Wilson, in retaliation for Wilson’s criticism of the justifications for the Iraq War.
Birthdays
Toronto Turns 182
Canada’s largest city was incorporated on this day in 1834. Today it stands as the fourth largest city in North America and in 2015 was named the Economist’s top city to live in .
Real Madrid Turns 114
Real Madrid was founded on this day and it is today the most valuable sports team in the world. The club has won a record 10 European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles and a joint record 3 Intercontinental Cups, as well as 2 UEFA Cups, and 2 UEFA Super Cups.
Today Past 