Today in History

• 2002 Africa’s worst ever train disaster kills 281

  The crash occurred near Msagali, Tanzania, when a passenger train with some 1200 passengers rolled back down Igandu hill after its brakes had failed.

• 1982 A British Airways jumbo jet experiences a sudden total engine failure

  At the same time, the crew observed a mysterious glow in the darkness. The Boeing 747’s pilots had unwittingly flown into a cloud of volcanic ash caused by the eruption of Mount Galunggung, causing all four engines to flame out. The crew eventually succeeded in restarting the engines and landing safely in Jakarta.

• 1948 The Berlin Blockade begins

  In reaction to the currency reform in West Germany, the Soviet Union blocked all access to West Berlin. It was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War. Western Allies launched the Berlin airlift to transport supplies to the blocked area. In Germany, the planes became known as “raisin bombers” or “candy bombers”.

• 1901 Pablo Picasso opens his first exhibition

  The 18-year-old Spanish artist was featured for the first time in Ambroise Vollard’s gallery in 6 Rue Laffite in Paris. Neither of the two art critics that visited the show thought much about the works. Picasso went on to become one of the most influential artists of all time.

• 1717 The world’s first Masonic Grand Lodge is established

  Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that has counted among its members a large number of known intellectuals. Due to its secretive nature, many myths about their underground activities have emerged through the ages. A Grand Lodge is the governing body for a certain geographic area.