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Tornado kills 78 in Texas

The tornado outbreaks of mid-to-late May 1896 were a series of violent and deadly tornado outbreaks that struck much of the Central and Southern United States from May 15 to 28, 1896.

The tornado outbreaks of mid-to-late May 1896 were a series of violent and deadly tornado outbreaks that struck much of the Central and Southern United States from May 15 to 28, 1896. It is considered one of the worst stretches of near-continuous tornadic activity on record, with tornado expert Tom Grazulis stating that the week of May 24–28 was "perhaps the most violent single week of tornado activity in United States history". There were four particularly notable tornado outbreaks during the two-week period. The outbreaks produced three F5 tornadoes as well as the third deadliest tornado ever in United States history, which is also the costliest in the United States’ history when adjusted for inflation.

Historical Significance

The tornado outbreaks of mid-to-late May 1896 were a series of violent and deadly tornado outbreaks that struck much of the Central and Southern United States from May 15 to 28, 1896.

Events Before

  1. Norway adopts Central European time

    Central European Time (CET) is a standard time observed in Central as well as parts of Western and Southeast Europe, which is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

  2. Philippine revolutionary Emilio Aguinaldo becomes a Freemason, joining Pilar Lodge No. 203 in Imus, Cavite

    Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was a Filipino revolutionary, statesman, and military leader who was the first president of the Philippines from 1899 to 1901, and the first president of an Asian...

  3. J. Edgar Hoover is born

    J. Edgar Hoover, American law enforcement administrator, known for american law enforcement administrator, was born on 1895-01-01.

  4. Gustav Mahler conducts the premiere of his incomplete 2nd Symphony ("Resurrection") in Berlin, Germany, with the Berlin

    Gustav Mahler conducts the premiere of his incomplete 2nd Symphony ("Resurrection") in Berlin, Germany, with the Berlin Philharmonic; the complete version debuts in December

  5. Auguste and Louis Lumière show their first movie to an invited audience

    Auguste and Louis Lumière show their first movie to an invited audience

Events After

  1. Invasion of Benin City by British Expeditionary Force; the city is burned and looted, ending the Nigerian Kingdom of Ben

    Invasion of Benin City by British Expeditionary Force; the city is burned and looted, ending the Nigerian Kingdom of Benin formed in the 11th century

  2. British boxer Bob Fitzsimmons KOs American champion 'Gentleman' Jim Corbett in the 14th round to win the World Heavyweig

    British boxer Bob Fitzsimmons KOs American champion 'Gentleman' Jim Corbett in the 14th round to win the World Heavyweight title in Carson City, Nevada

  3. 1st Boston Marathon (B.A.A. Road Race), won by John J. McDermott in 2:55:10; the world's oldest annual marathon inspired

    1st Boston Marathon (B.A.A. Road Race), won by John J. McDermott in 2:55:10; the world's oldest annual marathon inspired by success of the first marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics

  4. Salomon August Andrée and crew leave Spitsbergen in northern Norway by balloon, heading for the North Pole

    Salomon August Andrée and crew leave Spitsbergen in northern Norway by balloon, heading for the North Pole

  5. Thomas Edison patents the Kinetoscope [kinetographic camera], a device that produces moving pictures

    The Kinetoscope is an early motion picture exhibition device, designed for films to be viewed by one person at a time through a peephole viewer window.

More from the 1890s

Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget

Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget

Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12

Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12 million people

German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays

German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays

Eritrea is consolidated into a colony by the Italian government

Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. Its capital and largest city is Asmara.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 15, 1896?
The tornado outbreaks of mid-to-late May 1896 were a series of violent and deadly tornado outbreaks that struck much of the Central and Southern United States from May 15 to 28, 1896. It is considered one of the worst stretches of near-continuous tornadic activity on record, with tornado expert Tom Grazulis stating that the week of May 24–28 was "perhaps the most violent single week of tornado activity in United States history". There were four particularly notable tornado outbreaks during the two-week period.
Why is Tornado kills 78 in Texas significant?
The tornado outbreaks of mid-to-late May 1896 were a series of violent and deadly tornado outbreaks that struck much of the Central and Southern United States from May 15 to 28, 1896.

Explore More

May 15 in HistoryYear 1896