1917 – World War I
The first balloon ascension from the Missouri Aeronautical School took place this morning at the corner of Trinity and Durango Streets. The basket, which dangled below the great globe, bore Instructor E. S. Cole and six students. Soon, they were only specks in the sky and the great balloon, taking its first course towards the northwest, and then at a height of about nine hundred feet apparently, veering southward, sailed off serenely in the direction of Kelly Field.
1938
Radio station KTSA broadcasts “Orson Welles’ Mercury Theatre” featuring a radio drama of H. G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds” from 7 to 8 p.m (right). Despite announcements before, during and after the program, some frightened radio listeners believe it is a real invasion of aliens from Mars.
1971
Trinity University dedicates their new $4.8 million, 3,000-seat Laurie Auditorium, named for former president, James W. Laurie.