Solemn mourners from Oakland to New York marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Henry Bliss on Monday. In 1899, Bliss got knocked down by a car, becoming the first of about 3 million Americans killed in automobile accidents. Organizers of a "national day of mourning" wanted motorists to shut off their engines at 5 p.m. for a silent vigil. Reports from around the country indicated many vehicles were at a standstill. But their engines -- and horns -- were far from silent.
Crash Course
Solemn mourners from Oakland to New York marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Henry Bliss on Monday. In 1899, Bliss got knocked down by a car, becoming the first of about 3 million Americans killed in automobile accidents. Organizers of a "national day of mourning" wanted motorists to shut off their engines at 5 p.m. for a silent vigil. Reports from around the country indicated many vehicles were at a standstill. But their engines -- and horns -- were far from silent.
