June 20, 1890 Elko, Nevada Elizabeth Potts becomes the first (and currently the only) woman legally executed in Nevada Elizabeth and her husband Josiah were convicted of the murder of Miles Faucett, a man they owed money. He visited the couple on January 1, 1888 and was never seen alive again. The Potts produced a…
Continental soldiers begin an armed protest against Congress after not receiving wages for their military services
June 20, 1783 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Approximately 400 continental soldiers protest Congress, demanding payment for their services during the American Revolutionary War The soldiers had assembled the day before, growing in number from 80 to 400. On June 20, they blocked the doors to the Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall) and secured some of…
Mother suffering from diagnosed postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis drowns 5 children to save their souls
June 20, 2001 Houston, Texas Andrea Yates drowns her 5 children to supposedly save their souls from Satan Andrea, who had 5 children in a 7 year timespan, was suffering from postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. She became depressed after her fourth child; she was found shaking and chewing her fingertips on June 16, 1999…
The murder of Bugsy Siegel
June 20, 1947 Beverly Hills, California Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel is shot to death at his girlfriend's house Siegel, a mobster and one of those behind Las Vegas' success, had been reading a newspaper when an unknown assailant fired a .30 caliber M1 carbine through a window, striking Siegel several times. Popular folklore based on the…