Today in history

Today is Wednesday, May 24, the 144th day of 2017 and the 66th day of spring.

On this date in the SCV: In 1934, The Signal reported that vandals, or searchers for buried treasure, had done irreparable damage to the ruins of the mission granary discovered on a local ranch. A section of the tile floor was torn up and a big hole dug in the middle of the uncovered portion. Part of the remaining wall had also been dug out. The vandals must have believed the old legend of the vast riches accumulated by the Spanish priests and buried when the missions were secularized and taken over by the Mexican government. This destructive effort spoiled any attempt to restore the granary as a historical spot, as has been planned. The tiles were not carefully taken out, but were pried out, broken and thrown out among the dirt, making a complete wreck of the portion so carefully uncovered by archeologists during the previous year.

Today’s Highlights in History: In 1844, Samuel Morse sent the first electrical telegraph message, “What hath God wrought,” from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to an assistant in Baltimore. In 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opened in New York City. In 1941, the German battleship Bismarck sunk the British

battle cruiser HMS Hood, killing 1,500 crewmen. In 1994, the four men convicted of the 1993 bombing of New York’s World Trade Center were each sentenced to 240 years in prison.

Today’s fact: In 1864, a telegram containing the 16,543word Nevada Constitution arrived in Washington, D.C. after being sent two days earlier from Carson City, Nevada. It is thought to be the longest telegram ever sent, at a cost of $4,303.27.

Today’s sports: In 1964, a riot erupted at National Stadium in Lima, Peru, after a referee’s call during a soccer match between Peru and Argentina. More than 300 fans were killed and more than 500 were injured.

Today’s number: 14,680 – the total weight, in tons, of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Today’s moon: Between last quarter moon (May 18) and

new moon (May 25).