On this date in 1958…

During the opening night of a tour, Jerry Lee Lewis was enraged that he had to perform before Chuck Berry and not last. He torched his piano during his set-closing number, “Great Balls of Fire” and reportedly told Chuck, “Let’s see you top that.” 

• 1818 – Confederate General Wade Hampton, III was born in Charleston, South Carolina.
• 1834 – The U.S. Senate voted to censure President Andrew Jackson for the removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the United States. 
• 1862 – Battle of Glorieta Pass, New Mexico.
• 1953 – “World’s Greatest Athlete” and Oklahoma native, Jim Thorpe died in Lomita, California.
• 1990 – Jesse Owens received the Congressional Gold Medal from U.S. President George H.W. Bush.