The New Madrid Quake – Today In Southern History

16 December 1811

On this date in 1811…

The New Madrid earthquake swarm began with two quakes of an estimated 7.5 -7.9 magnitude in Northeastern Arkansas. They remain the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history to hit the contiguous United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The earthquakes rang church bells as far away as Boston, reshaped the landscape creating Reelfoot Lake, and continued until February 1812.

Other Years:

• 1825 – Confederate General Henry Heth was born at Black Heath, Virginia.

• 1826 – Benjamin W. Edwards rode into Mexican-controlled Nacogdoches, Texas and declared himself ruler of the Republic of Fredonia.

• 1864 – General John B. Hood wasted the rest of the Confederate Army of Tennessee in the Battle of Nashville.

• 1950 – U.S. President Harry Truman of Missouri proclaimed a national state of emergency to fight “Communist imperialism.”

• 1972 – The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to go unbeaten and untied in a 14-game regular season, goimg on to defeat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.

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