On this day in:
2000 Fraud Lawsuit Against Suharto
The Indonesian government filed a lawsuit against former president Suharto, accusing him of fraud and misuse of public funds. Suharto ruled Indonesia for 32 years, a period widely criticized for authoritarianism, corruption, and one‑man rule.
1974 Blackbird breaks records:
The American SR‑71 Lockheed Blackbird, the world’s fastest aircraft of its time, came out of its hangar on this day for practice runs over the California desert. Built entirely of titanium and capable of flying at 2,100 miles an hour, the aircraft shattered the existing transatlantic speed record while cruising at around 80,000 feet — nearly three times the speed of sound. Blackbird
1990 Sri Lanka Mosque Massacre
On this day, gunmen attacked two mosques in the Batticaloa district of eastern Sri Lanka during evening prayers, killing men and boys as they knelt. Machine guns and grenades were used in the assault, and most victims were shot in the back or side. By the end of the day, the death toll had risen to around 140. Government officials blamed the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), but an LTTE leader denied responsibility and accused a rival Tamil faction of carrying out the attacks.
1999 Abdul Wahab Al‑Bayati Dies
The noted Iraqi poet Abdul Wahab Al‑Bayati died on this day. He was regarded as one of the most brilliant satirical voices of modern Arabic poetry.