“World Trade Center Bombing” and “Fats Domino,” - This Day in History – Feb 26th

Terrorist bomb Causes Deaths and Damage at World Trade Center

Back in 1993, the citizens of New York City were shocked by the Bombing of the World Trade Center. The attack occurred in the parking garage, leaving a 60 feet wide crater along with the collapse of numerous steel-reinforced concrete floors.

The terrorist bomb did not critically damage the main structure of the skyscrapers, however six people were killed and 1,000 people were injured by the blast.  A total of 500,000 people were evacuated from the buildings suffering from smoke inhalation, the cost of the damaged reached more than $500 million.

According to history.com, “After the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, U.S. investigators began to suspect that Yousef had ties to Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, the head of the anti-U.S. al Qaeda terrorist network. Whether bin Laden was in fact involved in the 1993 twin tower attacks has not been determined, but on September 11, 2001, two groups of al Qaeda terrorists finished the job begun by Yousef, crashing two hijacked airliners into the north and south tower of the World Trade Center. The structural steel of the skyscrapers could not withstand the tremendous heat generated by the burning jet fuel, and both collapsed within two hours of being struck. Close to 3,000 people died in the World Trade Center and its vicinity, including a staggering 343 firefighters and 23 policemen who were struggling to complete the evacuation and save the office workers trapped on higher floors. Only six people in the World Trade Center towers at the time of their collapse survived. Almost 10,000 other people were treated for injuries, many severe.”

New Orleans Native, Fats Domino is born

Back in 1928 future R&B, Rock and Roll and Blues legend, Antoine Dominique Domino known professionally as “Fats Domino," was born in New Orleans.  His was born to a French and English speaking Creole family as the youngest of eight children.  

According to history.com, “Domino's father was a fiddle player, but it was his much older brother-in-law, Harrison Verrett, who taught young Antoine the piano. By age 10, Antoine was playing professionally in New Orleans honky-tonks, where he earned the nickname "Fats" from bandleader Bill Diamond. In 1949, he caught the eye and ears of trumpeter, band leader and Imperial Records talent scout Dave Bartholomew, and a legendary partnership was born.” 

Mr. Domino is well-known for his classic songs, “Ain't That A Shame,” “I’m Walkin,” and “Blueberry Hill.” 

When Hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc around New Orleans in 2005, Fats Domino was reported missing and feared dead, but it was later confirmed that he was rescued after the levees broke near his home in the lower Ninth Ward.  Mr. Domino stated, “I'm worried about all the people in New Orleans. Tell them I love them, and I wish I was home with them. I hope we'll see them soon.” 

History.com stated that, “After three decades as a major international star—a star who sold an estimated 65 million records worldwide—Domino went into semi-retirement in the 1980s, announcing that he would no longer travel outside his native New Orleans. A man of his word, Domino was not enticed to travel even to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, a National Medal of the Arts from President Bill Clinton or induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Domino remained a neighborhood fixture in the Ninth Ward, however, living in his colorful double-shotgun mansion and making occasional forays out to local clubs in his enormous, bright-pink Cadillac. Not surprisingly, Fats Domino returned to New Orleans as soon as he could following Hurricane Katrina.”

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fats-domino-is-born-in-new-orleans?catId=13