Category Archives: History

History

On this day September 3

 

September 3

  • 1995 Internet giant eBay is founded by Pierre Omidyar

    The company owns ebay.com, an online marketplace and auction website.

  • 1971 Qatar independence

    The Persian Gulf state gained its independence after 55 years of British rule.

  • 1967 Dagen H in Sweden

    On this day, Swedish drivers switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right.

  • 1783 Treaty of Paris is Signed between Great Britain and the United States of America

    The treaty ended the American Revolutionary War.

  • 1752 Day skipped in the British Empire

    The British Empire skipped 11 days starting September 3 when it adopted the Gregorian calendar.

 

History

On this day August 26

Today in History

  • 1978 First German to go into Space

    Sigmund Jähn, a pilot from the East German Air Force joined the crew of Soyuz 31, a Soviet manned space flight to the Salyut 6 space station.

  • 1966 Namibian War of Independence Begins

    The 24-year long rebellion against the South African government began with an attack by the South African Defence Force on the members of the South-West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) at Omugulugwombashe. Namibia gained independence on 21 March 1990. Namibians observe Heroes Day annually on August 26.

  • 1955 First Tennis Match to be Telecast in Color

    The Davis Cup match between Australia and the US from the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York, was telecast on NBC.

  • 1920 19th Amendment to the US Constitution Takes Effect

    The amendment extended universal suffrage to women in the United States. Before this, women in some states could vote in local and state elections. The Amendment was first introduced in Congress 42 years ago in 1878 by Senator Aaron A. Sargent. In 1919, the Congress approved the amendment and sent it to the states to be ratified.

  • 1768 James Cook Sails off on HMS Endeavour

    The British explorer was the first European in recorded history to have visited the eastern shores of Australia. The ship reached Botany Bay in April 1770 and was back on British shores on July 12, 1771.

History

On this day August 21

Today in History

  • 1993 NASA loses communication with the Mars Observer almost a year after its launch

    The robotic space probe was tasked with exploring and studying the Red Planet.

  • 1991 Latvia gains full independence from the Soviet Union

    Founded in 1918, the Republic of Latvia was fully incorporated as a Soviet republic after the Second World War. Independence for the Baltic state was achieved after a peaceful revolution known as the Singing Revolution, which began in Estonia.

  • 1986 Limnic eruption in Lake Nyos in Cameroon kills about 1700 people

    A high amount of carbon dioxide was released by the underwater volcanic eruption.

  • 1911 The Mona Lisa is stolen

    The famed Leonardo da Vinci painting was stolen by a Louvre employee. It was recovered 2 years later in Italy.

  • 1879 Oldsmobile is founded by Ransom Eli Olds of Olds Motor Works

    The popular brand of car was first manufactured in Lansing, Michigan. The company was purchased by GM in 1908 and closed its doors in 2004.

 

History

On this day August 20

Today in History

  • 1993 Oslo accords negotiations conclude

    The negotiations for the Oslo Accords were concluded at the Fafo Institute in Oslo. The agreement was between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The accords, that were eventually signed in Washington D.C. set up the Palestinian Authority and gave it governing powers over the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

  • 1988 The Iran-Iraq War comes to an end after 7 years

    The deadly conventional war between the two Middle Eastern countries began when Iraq invaded Iran on September 22, 1980.

  • 1975 Viking 1 is launched by NASA using a Titan launch vehicle

    It became the first space probe to successfully land on Mars.

  • 1960 Senegal withdraws from the Mali Federation

    Senegal withdrew from the Mali Federation, a year after its establishment. Léopold Senghor became the first president of Senegal a month later.

  • 1940 Leon Trotsky is attacked in Mexico

    Russian revolutionary and founder of the Red Army, Leon Trotsky was attacked in his home by an undercover agent of the Peoples Commissariat for Internal Affairs or N.K.V.D. He died a day later due to the injuries sustained during the attack.