Way back when: Today in history
By GENE CURTIS 2/21/2008
02.21
1885
The Washington Monument honoring first American President George Washington was dedicated in Washington, D.C., the day before his 153rd birthday. The 555-foot obelisk was the tallest structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889. It remains the tallest building in the District of Columbia.
1935
Phil Kennamer, 19, son of U.S. District Court Judge Franklin Kennamer, was convicted of manslaughter in one of Tulsa’s most sensational criminal cases after an 11-day trial that had been moved to Pawnee on a change of venue. The jury left punishment to District Judge Thurman Hurst for the Thanksgiving night 1934 slaying of John Gorrell Jr., 21. Hurst sentenced him to 25 years in prison.
1975
Former Attorney General John N. Mitchell and former White House aides H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman were sentenced to 2 to 8 years in prison for their roles in the Watergate cover-up.
1988
Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart of Baton Rouge, La., confessed that he had “sinned” and would step down. Only a year before, Swaggart had scathingly denounced his fellow Assembly of God evangelist Jim Bakker, who Swaggart said
had committed adultery. The Assembly of God had started an investigation after receiving photographs reportedly showing Swaggart and a prostitute entering and leaving a New Orleans hotel together.
2000
A survey of historians rated the leadership qualities of Abraham Lincoln as the best of the 41 U.S. presidents. Lincoln, who served from 1861-65, was followed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933-45, and George Washington, 1789-97. James Buchanan, who served from 1857-61, was rated as the worst. Bill Clinton, the incumbent at that time, was rated 21st.
Gene Curtis 581-8304
gene.curtis@tulsaworld.com
