On this day in 1943, ten miles off the coast of Brazil, a family of fishermen rescued the sole survivor of a German U-boat attack.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1841, President William Henry Harrison died after serving only 32 days in office.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1957, as an April Fools Day prank, the British Broadcasting Corporation aired a made-up report about harvesting spaghetti from trees.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1943, Rodgers and Hammerstein's groundbreaking musical "Oklahoma!" opened on Broadway at St. James Theatre.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1867, after a long night of negotiations, the United States made a deal to purchase Alaska from Russia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1974, seven local farmers unearthed a host of ancient artifacts while digging a well near Xi'an, China.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1944, finding herself bedridden after slipping on ice, Astrid Lindgren began writing the beloved children’s classic Pippi Longstocking.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1939, Billboard magazine began publishing its first country music chart under the title “Hillbilly Hits.”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1912, civil rights leader Dorothy Height was born in Richmond, Virginia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1840, amateur photographer John William Draper reported his success in taking detailed images of the Moon.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.