1978: NOAA announces gender-neutral hurricane naming system
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On this date in 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms launched the first of two raids against the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, as part of an investigation into illegal possession of firearms and explosives by the Christian cult. As the agents attempted to penetrate the complex, gunfire erupted that killed four ATF agents and wounded 15 — the highest of any ATF operation — as well as killing six Branch Davidians. After 45 minutes of shooting, the ATF agents withdrew, and a cease-fire was negotiated over the telephone. The cult’s leader David Koresh had previously been tried for attempted murder of former Davidian leader George Roden. He had also taken multiple wives and fathered multiple children with them, including some who were are young as 12 when they became pregnant — allegations of abuse of the children also surfaced. His survivalist interpretation of the Bible espoused stockpiling weapons and explosives in preparation for the apocalypse. The raid ended on April 18, after the FBI fired tear gas cannisters into the building — a decision the bureau apologized for in 1999 — and a fire ignited, killing Koresh and at least 80 of his followers.
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