1. 1982: Princess Grace Kelley passes away after fatal car accident
Photo: birikina
Photo: hollywoodreporter
Millions of fans mourned as news spread that Hollywood starlet and genuine Princess, Grace Kelly, had passed away on this date in 1982. Kelly had been out driving with her daughter, Stephanie, when she had a stroke causing her and her daughter to veer off a cliff on a mountain road near Monte Carlo. Stephanie managed to survive the crash, however, her mother would pass away the following day. Kelly had been very successful in Hollywood starring in major films along with some of the most iconic actors of all time. She started acting as a child with help fro her wealthy industrialist family, but she didn’t get her big break until 1952 when she landed a role High Noon. Even though she was quickly becoming one of Hollywoods leading ladies she decided to quit her job and follow every little girl’s dream, becoming a princess. In 1956, she married Prince Rainier III who she met at the Cannes Film Festival the previous year. The two would live a very happy life raising their three children until her unexpected passing roughly 26 years later. Her beauty will live on forever thanks to her performances on the silver screen for people to enjoy for generations to come.
2. 1959: Soviet probe Luna 2 becomes the first man-made object on the moon
Photo: source
Photo: wiki
It was on this date in 1959 that the first man-made object reaches the moon when the Soviet space probe known as Luna 2 crashed into the moon’s surface. At the time the Soviets were in what would eventually be called the “space race” with the United States, and this achievement extended their lead. They had also been the first to launch a satellite into orbit when they sent up the now famous “Sputnik” that struck fear in most Americans. It was believed the Soviets would soon be using weapons designed to be used from space. When Luna 2 landed on the moon it lit a fire under the United States to up the ante with their space program. It was in 1960 that John F Kennedy announced that the U.S. would put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. NASA would make good on that promise in 1969 when Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon.
3. 1999: Hurricane Floyd reaches its peak
Photo: cbsphilly
Photo: islandpacket
What started out as a fairly mild tropical storm turned into a ferocious category 4 hurricane, just 2mph short of receiving the highest rating of category 5. It was on this date in 1999 that Hurricane Floyd reached its peak, causing havoc up and down the eastern seaboard as well as the Carribean. The damage was catastrophic almost everywhere from Connecticut down to Florida. Thousands of people lost their homes due to the storm, however, thanks to a massive evacuation where millions of people picked up and headed inland, the death toll was fairly low considering the severity of the storm. There were reported to be 68 casualties caused by the storm and because of the destruction it caused the name “Floyd” was actually retired by the National Hurricane Center in spring of 2000.