1. 1881: Gunfight at the OK Corral
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It was on this date in 1881 that the famous shootout at the OK Corral took place in Tombstone, Arizona. The fight that ended with three men dead was between the Clanton-McLaury gang and the Earp brothers: Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan, and long-time friend Doc Holiday. Wyatt was a well known former Kansas lawman who was working as a security guard for a bank in Tombstone. Virgil was the town marshall, so the Earp’s more or less represented the law and order in the gun battle. The Clanton-McLaury gang were a group of cowboys that lived on a ranch outside of town that consisted of murderers and thieves. Apparently, Tom McLaury and Ike Canton came into Tombstone for supplies roughly 24hrs prior to the shootout. According to reports, there had been numerous violent encounters between the two men and Doc Holiday, as well as the Earp’s. Shortly after 3pm, five members of the Clanton McLaury gang were spotted behind the OK Corral and were approached by the three brothers and Holiday. Still to this day, there are debated regarding who exactly fired the first shot, but the entire gunfight only lasted 30 seconds. When the dust settled Ike Clanton’s brother, Billy, and the two McLaury brothers had been shot and killed.
2. 1985: “Saving All My Love For You” earns Whitney Houston her first #1 hit
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Whitney Houston took the first step to becoming pop royalty when her song “Saving All My Love For You” hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on this date in 1985. It was the second single from her self-titled debut album and was expected to do very well after her first single peaked at #3. At the time, Whitney was just 22 years old. She had a big beautiful smile, a voice like an angel, and was quickly on her way to becoming one of the biggest stars in pop history. Over the next three decades, she sold millions of records that ranked among the top 40 biggest sellers of all time. Unfortunately, later in life she had personal demons that soon got the best of her and on February 11, 2012, she passed away at just 48 years young.
3. 1986: The Bill Buckner error
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It’s funny how history has a way of repeating itself. Just one year after the famous Carlton Fisk home run for the Boston Red Sox in extra innings of Game 6, something similar happened again only this time not as positive. It was on this date in 1986 during the 10th inning of Game 6 between the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, the game was all tied up with the Mets winning run on third base. A routine ground ball was hit down the right field line which should’ve been an easy out for first basemen Bill Buckner. But instead, Buckner fumbled the ball right between his legs and it rolled down the right field line. This allowed plenty of time for the runner on third to score, giving the Mets the win and forcing the tiebreaking Game 7. Things didn’t get much better for the Red Sox as they blew a three-run lead to loose the championship. All the blame from almost they entire city of Boston was placed on the shoulders of Buckner for his costly error in Game 6. But everyone seemed to forget that the only reason the score was tied in was because the Boston pitchers had blown a two-run, two out lead. Plus the team itself blew it in game 7. Buckner ended up having to relocate with his entire family to Idaho due to the wrath brought down upon him by the ruthless Boston fans.