History
-
On this day 21 July, 1967, the first African to be awarded a Nobel Prize for Peace (1960), dies+ after being struck by a train
Albert John Luthuli, in full Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli, Luthuli also spelled Lutuli, (born 1898, near Bulawayo, Rhodesia [now in Zimbabwe]—died July 21, 1967,…
Read More » -
On this day July 19, 1799, French cyclist Maurice Garin wins the first ever Tour de France
French bicyclist Maurice Garin won the first Tour de France, which covered 2,428 km (1,508 miles). Maurice Garin (1871-1957) winning the…
Read More » -
On this day April 22, 1915, Germans introduce poison gas in World War I
On April 22, 1915, German forces shock Allied soldiers along the western front by firing more than 150 tons of…
Read More » -
On this day April 21, 1926, Queen Elizabeth II is born
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms.…
Read More » -
On this day, April 7, 1994, Violence erupts in Rwanda, starting the genocide that led to the murder of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people
On April 7, 1994, violence fuels the launch of what would become the worst episode of genocide since World War…
Read More » -
The origins of the Hummer car
On March 22, 1983, the Pentagon awards a production contract worth more than $1 billion to AM General Corporation to…
Read More » -
On this day, March 2, 1904, the famous Dr. Seuss is born
Theodor Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss, the author and illustrator of such beloved children’s books as…
Read More » -
On this day February 24, 1966, Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown through a coup d’état
The first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was unconstitutionally ousted from office through a military and police coup…
Read More » -
On this day, February 23, 1868, W.E.B. Du Bois is born
On February 23, 1868, William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois is born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. A brilliant scholar, Du…
Read More » -
On this day, January 23, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to receive a medical degree
At a graduation ceremony at a church in Geneva, New York on January 23, 1849, Geneva Medical College bestows a…
Read More » -
On this day, January 13, 1999, Michael Jordan retires for a second time
On January 13, 1999, the National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls announces his retirement from…
Read More » -
On this day, January 11, 1964, U.S. Surgeon General announces definitive link between smoking and cancer
United States Surgeon General Luther Terry knew his report was a bombshell. He intentionally chose to release it on January…
Read More » -
On this day, January 1st, 1942, the United Nations is created
On this day, January 1st, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill issue a declaration, signed…
Read More » -
On this day, December 24, 1865, the Secret Society KKK is founded
In Pulaski, Tennessee, a group of Confederate veterans convenes to form a secret society that they christen the “Ku Klux…
Read More » -
On this day, December 22, 1956, Colo becomes the First gorilla born in captivity
On December 22, 1956, a baby gorilla named Colo enters the world at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, becoming the…
Read More »