Five things to know about today

Hitler sentenced for his role in Beer Hall Putsch (April 1, 1924)

Adolf Hitler is sentenced for his role in the Beer Hall Putsh of November 8, 1923. The government foiled the attempted coup in Munich by right-wing members of the army and the Nazi Party, and Hitler was charged with high treason. Despite the conviction, He came out of jail before the end that year, with his political position stronger than ever.

American track-and-field legend Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, died at age 66. (April 1, 1936)

 Jesse Owens, whose four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin made him perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history, died of lung cancer yesterday in Tucson, Ariz. He was 66 years old.

In Berlin, Mr Owens, who was black, scored a triumph that would come to be regarded as not only athletic but also political. Adolf Hitler had intended the Berlin Games to be a showcase for the Nazi doctrine of Aryan supremacy.

A member of what the Nazis mockingly called America’s “black auxiliaries,” Mr Owens achieved a feat unmatched in modern times in Olympic track competition. The year before, with a wrenched back so painful that he could not dress or undress without help, he broke five world records and equalled a sixth, all within 45 minutes.

Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs found Apple Computer in the garage of Jobs’ parents’ house in Cupertino, California (April 1, 1976)

Apple Inc., formerly Apple Computer, Inc., American manufacturer of personal computers, computer peripherals, and computer software. It was the first successful private computer company and the populariser of the graphical user interface. Headquarters are located in Cupertino, California.

John Lenon unites with his father after seventeen years (April 1, 1964)

After the day’s filming at London’s Scala Theatre, John Lennon attended a meeting with his father, Fred. George Harrison and Ringo Starr were also present.

During the morning of April 1 1964, Alf Lennon walked into the offices of NEMS Enterprises, on the fifth floor of Sutherland House, 5-6 Argyll Street, London. A journalist accompanied him.

After explaining to the receptionist that he was Lennon’s father, Brian Epstein was informed and immediately sent a car to bring Lennon to the offices. Upon arrival, his first words to his father were “What do you want?”

The Lennon’s hadn’t seen each other for 17 years. The meeting, however, was not a success, lasting just 20 minutes before Lennon ordered his father out of the offices. The encounter was kept out of the newspapers in exchange for exclusive stories given to journalists. (Thebeatlesbible.com)

Legal Netherlands becomes the first country in the world to make same-sex marriage (April 1, 2001)

Today The Netherlands’ gay community rejoiced with tears and whoops of celebration Sunday over the world’s first same-sex marriages recognized under a new law.

Amsterdam’s mayor wed four gay couples at the stroke of midnight Saturday, immediately after the legislation enacted last year went into effect. The pair – three male and one female – nervously held hands and exchanged vows to fulfil the duties of matrimony set out in Dutch law.

(CBS News)