1999. “They didn’t care who they shot at, they were just shooting. And they made through /, and they threw something that blew up.” 2 students go on a shooting rampage at the Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. They kill a dozen classmates and a teacher inside the school before taking their own lives.

 

 

 

1980. The first Cuban sailing to the United States as part of the massive Mariel boatlift arrive in Florida. Over the next a few months, more than 125,000 Cubans reach the US by boat in the exodus from Fidel Castro’s regime.

 

 

 

1939. “There’s no question in my mind, this is the greatest game that has ever been at vantage.” Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams makes his major league debut with the Boston Redsocks.

 

 

 

And 1951. “Here and now, I promise to love faithfully…” Soul singer Luther Vandross, whose romantic songs include Here and Now is born in New York.

 

 

 

Today in History, April 20th. Camille Bohannon, the Associated Press.