History Today: When the worst oil spill in the US took place

It was on March 24 that one of the worst oil spills in US history took place when super oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on the Bligh Reef in Alaska’s Prince William Sound in 1989. Close to 11 million gallons of oil eventually spilled into the water leading to the pollution of close to 700 miles of coastline.

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

Another major event occurred on this in 1958 when 23-year-old Elvis Presley was inducted into the US Army in 1958. On this day in 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) began airstrikes against Yugoslavia, a sovereign nation.

Oil tanker “Exxon Valdez” crashes

One of the biggest environmental disasters in history began on March 24 when the supertanker Exxon Valdez crashed along a reef in the Prince William Sound in southern Alaska. It is one of the worst spillages as more than 11 million gallons of oil was splattered.

The massive ship, operated by Exxon Shipping Company, was en route from the Valdez Marine Terminal to California when it struck the reef just after midnight. The collision ruptured multiple tanks, spilling approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil into the icy Alaskan waters.

The Exxon Valdez oil spill contaminated more than 1,300 miles of rugged coastline and disrupted delicate ecosystems. The spill caused the death of hundreds of thousands of marine animals, including sea otters, harbour seals, seabirds, and fish. The environmental damage was immediate and long-lasting, with some species and habitats taking decades to recover.

In the aftermath, the company faced significant backlash from environmental groups, the public and government agencies. This incident exposed serious shortcomings in oil spill preparedness and led to greater scrutiny of maritime safety and environmental policies. In response, the US Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which strengthened regulations for oil spill prevention, response and liability.

Elvis Presley inducted into the US Army

The King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley was inducted in the US Army on this day in 1958. Presley reported to the Memphis draft board before heading to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, for his initial processing.

Presley chose to serve as a regular soldier during his time in the Army. This move struck a chord with the public, especially among conservative Americans who had previously criticised his rebellious persona. He went on to be stationed in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division, where he served from 1958 to 1960.

To capture every moment of Elvis’s induction, Colonel Tom Parker ensured a photographer was present. The day began early at Graceland, with photos that showed Elvis in formal attire, departing with his parents for the Memphis induction center.

While Elvis showed no outward signs of distress, his mother’s expression foreshadowed tragedy. This was her final glimpse of her son in good health. Later that year she succumbed to illness shortly before his departure for Germany.

Elvis’s two-year military service ushered in a period of profound change, marked by his meeting with the 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu in Germany and the concurrent rise of a new generation of teen idols who captured the attention of the US pop music scene.

This event remains one of the most significant intersections of celebrity and public service, demonstrating how even a music legend could serve his country.

Nato attacks Yugoslavia

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) launched a full-scale attack on Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999, with a large-scale aerial bombing campaign. This marked the first major military offensive by the alliance without the approval of the United Nations Security Council.

The attack came in response to a new wave of ethnic cleansing launched by Serbian forces against the Kosovar Albanians on March 20.  The campaign, named Operation Allied Force, was aimed at halting the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Kosovo, where Yugoslav and Serbian forces were accused of committing atrocities against the ethnic Albanian population.

The conflict in Kosovo had been escalating throughout the late 1990s, with reports of ethnic cleansing, mass killings and widespread human rights abuses. After diplomatic efforts failed at the Rambouillet peace talks, Nato decided to intervene militarily to prevent further violence.

Over the course of 78 days, Nato forces carried out relentless airstrikes targeting military infrastructure, government buildings and supply lines within Serbia and Montenegro, the two republics that comprised Yugoslavia at the time.

The bombing also struck civilian targets, including bridges, power plants and broadcasting facilities, leading to international criticism and accusations of violating international law. The 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia remains a deeply controversial chapter in international relations, sparking debates over the legality of humanitarian interventions and setting a precedent for future military actions without direct UN endorsement.

This Day, That Year

• On this day in 2008, Bhutan held elections for the National assembly, thus, completing the country’s transition to a democracy.

• In 1603, King James Vi of Scotland ascended the English throne as James I.