Important Events From This day in History May 11th

 

1934 U.S.A. Dust Storm 1,500 miles long

1934 : A huge dust storm is spotted moving from the Midwest. The dust storm was 1,500 miles long, 900 miles across and two miles high, covering almost one-third of the country. Farmers lost large amounts of Topsoil during just a few years the phenomenon was known as ( The Dust bowl Years during the 1930s). The combination of large areas of landing becoming dust bowls making food production bad and the depression caused by the 29 crash all contributed to the time in History Known as "The Great Depression"

1920 U.S.A. University of Wisconsin at Madison

1920 : The number of students at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1920 far exceeds the number originally budgeted for which was only for 5,000. The current number of 7,000 are stretching both the buildings and staff available (in 2007 there were 41,466 enrolled - this just gives an idea for one University but most have seen similar changes in numbers of students over the last 80 years).

1930 England Amy Johnson

1930 : Amy Johnson 22 year old Aviatrix from England started on her attempted solo flight to Australia some 10,000 miles away in her Gypsy Moth Plane she is trying to beat the record of Bert Hinkler which stands at 16 1/2 days.

1942 Russia German Offensive

1942 : The Nazi's have launched a major spring offensive in the Eastern Crimea, Germany is thought to be prepared to use poison gas in it's advance but England has stated if poison gas is used it will retaliate with the RAF using poison gas against the Third Reich.

1952 U.S.A. Seizure of Steel Mills

1952 : Following President Truman's seizure of the steel mills last month, the case on the legality is now before the Supreme Court. Does the president have powers to seize private industries in national emergencies, in this case due to a strike in the steel mills.

1953 U.S.A. F5 Tornado Waco, Texas

1953 : A F5 tornado struck Waco, Texas where 48 were known dead and more than 250 injured.

1956 The Gold Coast / Ghana Independence

1956 : The Gold Coast / Ghana becomes the first black African nation to be granted independence from Britain.

1970 Cold War Talks Salt Talks

1970 : The Salt Talks ( Strategic Arms Limitation Talks ) between the US and the Soviet Union are continuing , this is despite US involvement in Cambodia . It appears both countries are keen to find a compromise on Strategic Arms Limitation to stop the growth and continued arms race.

1970 U.S.A. 100 MPH Tornado Lubbock, Texas

1970 : A tornado with winds in excess of 100 mph touched down in Lubbock, Texas, today, killing at least 20 people and injuring hundreds of others.

1971 England Daily Sketch Closes

1971 : Britain's oldest tabloid Newspaper The Daily Sketch closes and is published for the last time.

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