This Day in Delaware History:
1734    Thomas McKean, Acting Governor and Signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born just north of Newark in New London, Pennsylvania.

1818    In the worst catastrophe at the Du Pont Powder Works near Wilmington, 85,000 lbs. of black powder exploded in 4 minutes killing 34 people and wounding 7. For the first time, pensions were given to widows and provisions were made for the education of their children.

1859    Head of Christiana Presbyterian Church reopened after the previous year's fire.

1959    Two F-94 jets collided 35,000 feet above Dover as the Pennsylvania Air National Guard pilots parachuted to safety.  The flash at 8:15 P.M. was seen as far away as Wilmington and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

 

Today's facts were compiled by historian Roger Martin and brought to you by the Delaware Public Archives.  Visit http://archives.delaware.gov/ and discover what DPA has to offer!