On This Day: April 4
Tornado Talk Summary
The twister developed about 4 miles NW of downtown Birmingham, AL, on April 4, 1977. It moved northeast for nearly 15 miles and produced F5 damage in the Smithfield area. 22 people were killed and 130 others were injured. Read the full summary here!
SIGTOR Spotlight
Highlighting a Tornado Before 1950
from Significant Tornadoes by Thomas Grazulis!
April 4, 1923: A twister given a rating of F4 crossed 12 miles through Rapides Parish, LA. It hit north Alexandria and Pineville. 142 homes and businesses were destroyed at Pineville. 15 were killed and 150 injured.
Twister From The 2000s
On this day in 2011, an EF2 tornado struck near Hopkinsville, and Pembroke, KY. Along the 4.5 mile path, a metal warehouse building was ripped apart, two homes were unroofed, and barns were leveled. Seven people were injured. Source.
Weather Rewind
There is more weather phenomenon than just tornadoes?
On This Day in OTHER weather history!
On this day in 1966, an F4 tornado tracked for 136 miles through Central Florida. It first touched down near Largo, slashed through Tampa, and then finally dissipated near Cocoa. 11 were killed and 3350 people were injured as hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed. Source.
Pieces of the Past
A Look Back Through The Ages! On This Day In History!
Historical Event
On this day in 1968: US civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated by James Earl Ray at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. Check out more historical events at onthisday.com!
Famous Birthday
Heath Ledger was born on April 4, 1979, in Perth, Australia. He was an actor renowned for his moving and intense performances in diverse roles. Ledger died in 2008. Source: Britannica.
Film & TV
On this day in 1958: Cheryl Crane (14), daughter of actress Lana Turner, stabs to death organized crime figure Johnny Stompanato, her mother’s boyfriend, in self-defense; crime later ruled a “justifiable homicide”. Get more daily history at onthisday.com!
Music Trivia
On this day in 2007: A Swedish couple ran into trouble with authorities after trying to name their baby Metallica. Michael and Karolina Tomaro went to court with the country’s National Tax Authority about naming their daughter after the rock band. The six-month-old had been baptised Metallica, but tax officials said the name was “inappropriate”. Under Swedish law, both first names and surnames need to win the approval of authorities before they can be used.. Get into the groove with more music trivia at thisdayinmusic.com!
Photo of the Day
