TV actor Eric Christian Olsen

Events in 1977 and 31-5

Events in US in the birth year of Eric Christian Olsen

• First woman Episcopal priest ordained (Jan. 1).
• Scientists identify previously unknown bacterium as cause of mysterious "legionnaire's disease" (Jan. 18).
• Carter pardons Vietnam war draft evaders (Jan. 21).
• Supreme Court rules that states are not required to spend Medicaid funds on elective abortions (June 20).

Birthday Eric Christian Olsen (31-5) in history

• Day 31-5 year 1790: The first U.S. Copyright Law was enacted, protecting books, maps, and other original materials.
• Day 31-5 year 1889: Heavy rains caused the South Fork Dam to collapse, sending 20 million tons of water into Johnstown, Pa. Over 2,200 people were killed and the town was nearly destroyed.
• Day 31-5 year 1911: The hull of the Titanic was launched in Belfast. At the ceremony, a White Star Line employee claimed, “Not even God himself could sink this ship.”
• Day 31-5 year 1961: South Africa became an independent republic.
• Day 31-5 year 1962: Former Gestapo official Adolf Eichmann was hanged in Israel.
• Day 31-5 year 1970: An earthquake in Peru left more than 50,000 dead.
• Day 31-5 year 2004: Alberta Martin, 97, one of the last widows of a U.S. Civil War veteran, died. She had married Confederate veteran William Martin in 1927 when she was 21 and he was 81.
• Day 31-5 year 2010: Nine people are dead after an Israeli navy commando attacks a flotilla of cargo ships and passenger boats on their way to Gaza to provide aid and supplies for the area.