Moments in Time

The History Channel

• On April 20, 1841, Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” first appears in Graham’s Lady’s and Gentleman’s Magazine. It is generally considered to be the first detective story. Like the later Sherlock Holmes stories, the tale is narrated by the detective’s roommate.

• On April 22, 1889, at precisely high noon, thousands of would-be settlers make a mad dash into the newly opened Oklahoma Territory to claim cheap land. All told, from 50,000 to 60,000 settlers entered the territory that day. Towns like Norman, Oklahoma City, Kingfisher and Guthrie sp...