Watts Thornton (1910 - 1983)

Watts's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Thornton family tree.

Watts's Family

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We currently do not have photos of Watts Thornton. Below are potential family photos that share Watts's last name or surname. Pictures really do say a thousand words. Add photos of Watts during various points of their life

Earline Moore

Earline Moore

Earline Moore

Sharon Adkisson Brown, 1991

Sharon Adkisson Brown

Anna R Prince

Florence, William, and Robert Thornton

Robert Sturgess Thornton

Robert Sturgess Thornton

Austin Elias Thornton

Barry Weldon Thornton

Michael Royce Thornton

Weldon Laverne Thornton

Carole Meadows Thornton

Olive Marie (Vandenberg) Watmuff Family

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Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Watts's lifetime

In 1910, in the year that Watts Thornton was born, Halley's comet, which returns past the earth every 75 - 76 years was observed photographically for the first time. Two fortuitous events occurred - photography had been invented since the last time the comet had passed and the comet was relatively close. There was panic because one astronomer claimed that the gas from its tail "would impregnate the atmosphere and possibly snuff out all life on the planet." People bought gas masks, "anti-comet pills" and "anti-comet umbrellas".

In 1925, this person was just 15 years old when on November 28th, radio station WSM broadcast the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. Originally airing as “The WSM Barn Dance”, the Opry (a local term for "opera") was dedicated to honoring country music and in its history has featured the biggest stars and acts in country music.

In 1935, by the time this person was 25 years old, the BOI's name (the Bureau of Investigation) was changed to the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and it officially became a separate agency with the Department of Justice. J. Edgar Hoover, the Chief of the BOI, continued in his office and became the first Director of the FBI. The FBI's responsibility is to "detect and prosecute crimes against the United States".

In 1977, at the age of 67 years old, Watts was alive when on May 25th, Star Wars premiered in theaters. Eventually, it became the highest-grossing film of all time - until E.T. surpassed it a few years later. It was an immediate hit with theatergoers.

In 1983, in the year of Watts Thornton's passing, physicist Sally K. Ride, 32, became the first US woman astronaut in space as a crew member aboard space shuttle Challenger on June 18th. She was also the youngest (32) astronaut to go into space. Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space in 1963.