Category Archives: History

History

On this day January 26

 

Today in History

  • 2001 A massive earthquake hits Gujarat, India

    About 20,000 people died and over 160,000 people were injured.

  • 1998 In a TV statement, Bill Clinton denies having had “sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky”

    On August 17, 1998, Clinton admitted to having had an “improper physical relationship” with Monica Lewinsky.

  • 1950 India becomes a republic

    The Constitution of India came into effect that day.

  • 1905 The world’s largest diamond is found in South Africa

    The Cullinan Diamond weighed 3106.75 carats (621.35 g or 1.37 lb) and has an estimated value of 2 billion USD.

  • 1788 The first Europeans settle in Australia

    The first elements of the British “First Fleet” had arrived in Sydney Harbour on January 18.

 

History

On this day January 25

Today in History

  • 1977 The world’s first solar power plant is opened

    The solar furnace in Odeillo, France was the first power plant providing alternative energy.

  • 1971 Idi Amin seizes power in Uganda

    The dictator’s rule (1971 – 1979) was characterized by human right abuse, political repression, and corruption.

  • 1947 The first arcade game is patented

    Thomas Goldsmith’s “Cathode ray tube amusement device” is considered the ancestor of video games.

  • 1924 The first Winter Olympics begin

    The I Olympic Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France.

  • 1919 The League of Nations is founded

    It is the predecessor of the United Nations and the first international organization devoted to maintaining world peace.

History

On this day January 23

Today in History

  • 1986 The first artists are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    Among the first inductees were Ray Charles, James Brown, and Elvis Presley.

  • 1960 The Trieste dives to a record depth of 10,911 meters (35,797 ft)

    Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh reached the bottom of Challenger Deep, the Earth’s deepest known point.

  • 1957 Walter Frederick Morrison sells the rights to his flying disc to the Wham-O toy company

    Today, the Frisbee is used around the world as both a toy and as part of flying disc games, such as Ultimate.

  • 1950 Israel claims Jerusalem as its capital

    Despite international protests, the Knesset passed a resolution stating that the divided city will be the country’s capital.

  • 1556 The deadliest earthquake on record kills some 830,000 people

    The epicenter was in the Wei River Valley in Shaanxi Province, China.

History

On this day January 22

Today in History

  • 2006 Eco Morales becomes Bolivia’s first indigenous president

    The left-wing politician has focused mainly on combating poverty and curbing the influence of transnational corporations.

  • 1973 The U.S. Supreme Court legalizes abortion

    The liberalization that was caused by the Roe v. Wade decision entailed fierce resistance from the Pro-Life movement, but the Supreme Court has so far upheld the decision.

  • 1970 The Boeing 747 takes off on its first scheduled flight

    The Pan Am jumbo jet flew from New York to London.

  • 1963 The Élysée Treaty formalizes the reconciliation between Germany and France

    The treaty effectively ended centuries of enmity between the two European countries.

  • 1943 World record for fastest temperature change

    The fastest temperature change recorded in history occurred on this day in Spearfish, South Dakota. The temperature increased from −4°F (−20°C) to +45°F (+7°C) in the span of two minutes.