This day in history (1971): Women tour Ras Tanura Refinery for first time

From the Nov. 10, 1971 edition of The Sun and Flare

"I've lived here 14 years, and this is my first visit to the refinery," laughed Barbara Bowman as she climbed aboard the bus that took 27 other women, lone male tourist Warren Otter, and guide Hamad al-Durai, on a tour of the Ras Tanura Refinery and Terminal last Thursday morning.

The Ras Tanura Women's Group tour marked some kind of "first."

For several of the women, it was the first time they visited any refinery. For many of the women who lived in Ras Tanura, it was the first time they saw exactly where their husbands and neighbors worked -- as well as the first time they had the complex workings of the refinery so clearly explained.

"You always learn something new," remarked Irene Stoltenbeerg, who like the rest of the group, was impressed with guide Hamad al-Durai's explanations.

Caption for top photo: It was a dream come true for members of the Ras Tanura Women's Group last Thursday as an organized tour gave them a closer look at those gleaming refinery structures, not too far from their own back yards.

Other highlights this day in history

2008 – Over five months after landing on Mars, NASA declared the Phoenix mission complete after communications were lost with the lander.

1983 – Bill Gates introduces Windows 1.0.

1975 – The 729-foot-long freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald sinks in a storm on Lake Superior, killing all 29 crewmen.

1775 – The United States Marine Corps is founded on Tun Tavern in Philadelphia by Samuel Nicholas.

1659 – Indian commander Afzal Khan died.