TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1883, the largest explosion in recorded history occurred when the volcano on the Indonesian island of Krakatoa erupted. Shock waves disrupted worldwide weather patterns and caused tidal waves that killed more than 36,000 people.

In 1896, the shortest war in recorded history ended with a British victory over Zanzibar. The British fleet bombarded Sultan Sa’id Khalid’s palace for 38 minutes until he surrendered.

In 1965, The Beatles met Elvis Presley at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s manager, performed the introductions, after which a deathly silence ensued. Elvis is then reported to have said: “If you damn guys are gonna sit here and stare at me all night, I’m gonna go to bed.” The meeting deteriorated further after John Lennon’s suggestion that Elvis make some records like those he recorded for Sun Records at the beginning of his career. Presley is said to have felt the remark implied that his career had gone steadily downhill.

In 1968, “Hey Jude,” the first Beatles’ record on their new Apple label, was released in Britain and North America. It reached No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic, selling a total of six million copies by year’s end. “Hey Jude” was the longest Beatles’ single — seven minutes and 11 seconds.

In 1990, Garth Brooks released his album “No Fences.” His sophomore release has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. It spawned four No. 1 singles on the Billboard country chart: “Friends in Low Places,” “Unanswered Prayers,” “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House” and “The Thunder Rolls.”

In 2008, history was made in Denver as Illinois senator Barack Obama became the Democratic Party’s candidate for U.S. president.Obama became the first black nominee of a major U.S. political party.