This Week in American History: 2014 – Student Stabs 20 Others at Penn. High School

By ANDY KOBER
• Apr. 9. On this day in 2014, 16-year old Alexander Hribal enters Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, carrying two eight-inch kitchen knives. At about 7:15 am, Hribal stabs and slashes several students, then activates a fire alarm, bringing more students into the hallways and attacks more. Quick reaction by the school’s assistant principal and another student results in Hribal being subdued. Twenty students are injured, with some of the injuries severe, but there are no fatalities. Hribal will be charged on multiple counts, convicted, and sentenced to 23-1/2 years to 60 years. He is currently incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution in Albion, PA. Evil does not need a firearm.
• Apr. 10. In 1915, Harry Bratsberg was born in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating high school, Bratsberg plans to attend law school but while a junior at the University of Chicago he begins acting. He first appears in stage productions, joins the Group Theatre in New York City, and adopts the name Henry Harry Morgan. Morgan enjoys an incredible career performing in such productions as The Shootist and The Snowball Express but will always be remembered as Col. Sherman T. Potter in MAS*H, a role for which he received an Emmy Award. Morgan died in Dec. 2011.
• Apr. 11. Today in 1965, it is Palm Sunday with many preparing for Easter Sunday. Some of those will not see Easter. The result of a massive storm system, 55 confirmed tornadoes spread across six Midwestern states, resulting in the deaths of 266 people along with over 3,600 injured and damages exceeding $1.2 billion in 1965 dollars.
• Apr. 12. On this day in 1999, President Bill Clinton is cited for contempt of court based on giving “intentionally” false statements in a civil lawsuit. He is fined and will be disbarred.
• Apr. 13. In 1613, America is not yet a country when English captain and Deputy-Governor of Virginia heads to Jamestown with his captive – Pocahontas – daughter of paramount chief Wahunsenacawh of the Tsenacommacah. Having captured Pocahontas in Passapatanzy, Virginia, Argall’s plan is to exchange her for English prisoners held by her father. Passapatanzy remains an unincorporated community of less than 1,300 residents in King George County, Virginia.
• Apr. 14. Today in 1988, the USS Samuel B. Roberts, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, in operating in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Earnest Will. The warship is on its way to meeting a refueling ship when it strikes a mine. The massive explosion tears a 15-foot hole in the hull, knocks both turbine engines off their mounts, and breaks the ship’s keel. For five hours the crew fought to save the ship, while maintaining its combat systems. The Roberts was transported to Portland, Maine, where repairs were completed in just over a year and she returned to service.
• Apr. 15. On this day in 1951, South Korean, UN and US forces that are a part of Operation Dauntless have pushed Chinese Peoples Volunteer Army and North Korean Peoples Army forces north of the 38th Parallel, in some cases as far as 20 miles. In fact, PVA and KPA logistic centers at Pyonggang, Ch’orwon and Kumhwa – collectively known as the Iron Triangle – could be under threat from the forces of freedom. Eighth Army commanding general James Van Fleet, who had impressed Gen. George Patton during World War II, continues advancing northward. Meantime, military intelligence sources continue developing information on a large PVA/ KPA counter-attack that could take place between Apr. 20 and May 1. Four days earlier, their relationship damaged beyond repair, President Harry Truman had relieved Gen. Douglas MacArthur of his commands. It was a bitter situation for MacArthur, a popular war hero at the hands of a politician who was not highly educated, dropped out of business school, dropped out of law school, finally completed business school, and finally entered politics. MacArthur would be replaced by Gen. Matthew Ridgway. Truman’s popularity fell fast reaching the lowest rating every by a US President and likely factored into him not seeking re-election.