March 4

Hernando Cortez arrives in Veracruz, and a natural gas pipeline explodes in Louisiana.

Mon, Mar 04 2013 at 6:00 AM

March 4, 1519: Hernando Cortez and 509 soldiers arrive at Veracruz to begin their brutal conquest of the Aztec people. His arrival coincides with an Aztec prophecy that Quetzalcoatl, a major god in Aztec culture, would return.

March 4, 1962: A small nuclear reactor is activated to provide power for the U.S. Antarctic research base at McMurdo Station (at right, in 2005). Plagued by minor leaks and accidents, the reactor is dismantled 11 years later.

March 4, 1965: A natural gas pipeline explodes near Natitoches, La., killing 17 people. The tragedy is credited with inspiring the passage of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act three years later.

Photo: ZUMA Press

This feature is compiled by Peter Dykstra, an MNN contributor and publisher of Environmental Health News and The Daily Climate.

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

Previous Post
March 3

Next Post
March 5

MNN - Mother Nature Network

You might also like:

Join the conversation

TODAY'S MOST POPULAR ON

NEWSLETTER