On May 7th 1960, Leonid Brezhnev, one of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev's most trusted proteges, was selected as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet—the Soviet equivalent to the presidency. This was another important step in Brezhnev's rise to power in Russia, a rise that he later capped by taking control of the Soviet … Continue reading May 7 1960 Brezhnev becomes president of the USSR
Tag: History
May 6 1937 Airship Hindenburg explodes in New Jersey
On May 6th 1937, the German airship Hindenburg, the largest dirigible ever built, exploded as it arrived in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Thirty-six people died in the fiery accident that has since become iconic, in part because of the live radio broadcast of the disaster. The dirigible was built to be the fastest, largest and most … Continue reading May 6 1937 Airship Hindenburg explodes in New Jersey
May 5 2002 Spider-Man tops $100 million in opening weekend
On May 5th 2002, the eagerly awaited comic book adaptation Spider-Man, released on Friday May 3rd, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire in the title role, quickly became the fastest movie ever to earn more than $100 million at the box office, raking in a staggering $114.8 million. After a genetically altered spider bites … Continue reading May 5 2002 Spider-Man tops $100 million in opening weekend
May 4 1979 Margaret Thatcher sworn in as British Prime Minister
On May 4th 1979, the Oxford-educated chemist and lawyer, Margaret Thatcher, leader of the Conservative Party, was sworn in as Britain's first female prime minister, the day after the Conservatives won a 44-seat majority in general parliamentary elections. She was born Margaret Hilda Roberts in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England, on October 13th 1925. Roberts attended Huntingtower … Continue reading May 4 1979 Margaret Thatcher sworn in as British Prime Minister
May 2 1957 Death of Senator Joseph McCarthy
On May 2nd 1957, Senator Joseph McCarthy, a Republican from Wisconsin, succumbed to illness exacerbated by alcoholism, and died at age 48. McCarthy had been a key figure in the anticommunist hysteria popularly known as the "Red Scare" that engulfed the United States in the years following World War II. McCarthy was born on November … Continue reading May 2 1957 Death of Senator Joseph McCarthy
April 30 1933 Willie Nelson born
On April 30th 1933, Willie Nelson, who would revolutionise country music, was born in Abbott, Texas. Willie Nelson's sound and his look made him one of that genre's most recognisable faces, and if his winning personality weren't enough reason to like him, then his good-natured struggles with the IRS would be. But before Willie Nelson … Continue reading April 30 1933 Willie Nelson born
April 28 1789 Mutiny on the HMS Bounty
On April 28th 1789, three weeks into a journey from Tahiti to the West Indies, the HMS Bounty, under the command of Captain William Bligh, was seized in a mutiny led by Fletcher Christian, the master's mate. Captain Bligh and 18 of his loyal supporters were set adrift in a small, open boat, and the … Continue reading April 28 1789 Mutiny on the HMS Bounty
April 27, 1521 Ferdinand Magellan killed in the Philippines
On April 27th 1521, after travelling three-quarters of the way around the globe, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan was killed during a tribal skirmish on Mactan Island in the Philippines. Earlier in the month, his ships had dropped anchor at the Philippine island of Cebu, and Magellan met with the local chief, who after converting to … Continue reading April 27, 1521 Ferdinand Magellan killed in the Philippines
April 26 1954 Geneva Conference begins
On April 26th 1954, in an effort to resolve several problems in Asia, including the war between the French and Vietnamese nationalists in Indochina, representatives from the world's powers met at the Geneva Conference. The conference marked a turning point in the United States' involvement in Vietnam. The Soviet Union, the United States, France, the … Continue reading April 26 1954 Geneva Conference begins
April 25 1983 Yuri Andropov writes to U.S. student
On April 25th 1983, the Soviet Union released a letter that Russian leader Yuri Andropov had written to Samantha Smith, an American fifth-grader from Manchester, Maine, inviting her to visit his country. Andropov's letter came in response to a note Smith had sent him in December 1982, asking if the Soviets were planning to start … Continue reading April 25 1983 Yuri Andropov writes to U.S. student
April 24 1945 Truman learns about Manhattan Project
On April 24th 1945, President Harry Truman learnt the full details of the Manhattan Project, in which scientists were attempting to create the first atomic bomb. The information thrust upon Truman a momentous decision: whether or not to use the world's first weapon of mass destruction. The Manhattan Project began modestly in 1939, but grew … Continue reading April 24 1945 Truman learns about Manhattan Project
April 23 1564 and 1616 Birth and Death of William Shakespeare
On April 23rd 1564, the great English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon, and on April 23rd 1616, he died. It is impossible to be certain the exact day on which he was born, but church records show that he was baptised on April 26, and three days was a customary amount … Continue reading April 23 1564 and 1616 Birth and Death of William Shakespeare
April 22 1937 Jack Nicholson born
On April 22nd 1937, John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson, famous for his roles in such movies as Easy Rider, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and As Good As it Gets, was born in Neptune, New Jersey. He would become known as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Nicholson’s father left his mother before … Continue reading April 22 1937 Jack Nicholson born
April 21 1989 Tiananmen Square Protest Begins In China
On April 21st 1989, about 100,000 students gathered at Beijing's Tiananmen Square to commemorate Hu Yaobang, and voice their discontent with China's authoritative communist government. Hu, the deposed, reform-minded leader of the Chinese Communist Party, had died six days earlier. The next day, an official memorial service for Hu Yaobang was held in Tiananmen's Great Hall … Continue reading April 21 1989 Tiananmen Square Protest Begins In China
April 20 1689 Siege Of Londonderry
On April 20th 1689, James II, the former British king, began a siege of Londonderry, a Protestant stronghold in Northern Ireland. James, having encircled Londonderry, began a bombardment of the fortified city, causing devastating fires and significant loss of life. However, despite this and other assaults, the city refused to surrender, and its poorly supplied … Continue reading April 20 1689 Siege Of Londonderry
April 19 1824 Death of Lord Byron in Greece
On April 19th 1824, George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, died in what is now Greece, where he had travelled to support the Greek struggle for independence from Turkey. Even today, he is considered a Greek national hero. Byron's scandalous history, exotic travels, and flamboyant life made such an impression on the world that the … Continue reading April 19 1824 Death of Lord Byron in Greece
April 18 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake
On April 18th 1906, at 5:13 am., an earthquake estimated at about 8.0 on the Richter scale struck San Francisco, California, killing hundreds of people as it toppled numerous buildings. The quake was caused by a slip of the San Andreas Fault over a segment about 275 miles long, and shock waves could be felt … Continue reading April 18 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake
April 17 1970 Apollo 13 Returns To Earth
On April 17th 1970, with the world anxiously watching, Apollo 13, a U.S. lunar spacecraft that suffered a severe malfunction on its journey to the moon, safely returned to Earth. On April 11th, the third manned lunar landing mission was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying astronauts James A. Lovell, John L. Swigert, and Fred … Continue reading April 17 1970 Apollo 13 Returns To Earth
April 16 1881 Bat Masterson’s last shootout in Dodge City
On April 16th 1881, on the streets of Dodge City, famous western lawman and gunfighter Bat Masterson fights the last gun battle of his life. William Barclay "Bat" Masterson was born November 26th 1853 at Henryville, Canada East, the second child in a family of five brothers and two sisters. They were raised on farms … Continue reading April 16 1881 Bat Masterson’s last shootout in Dodge City
April 15 1912 Titanic Sinks
On April 15th 1912, the RMS Titanic, billed as unsinkable, sank into the icy waters of the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage, killing 1,517 people, of the 2,200 on board. It was 2:20 am, and about 400 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada. The United Kingdom's White Star Line built the … Continue reading April 15 1912 Titanic Sinks
April 14 1865 Abraham Lincoln Shot
On April 14th 1865, United States President Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confederate sympathiser. The attack came only five days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his massive army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War. Booth was born on May 10th 1838 … Continue reading April 14 1865 Abraham Lincoln Shot
April 13 1964 Sidney Poitier Wins Oscar For Lilies Of The Field
On April 13th 1964, Sydney Poitier became the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role as a construction worker who helps build a chapel in Lilies of the Field. Poitier was born on February 20th 1927, in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida, while his parents were visiting the United … Continue reading April 13 1964 Sidney Poitier Wins Oscar For Lilies Of The Field
April 12 1633 Inquisition Of Galileo For Heresy Begins
On April 12th 1633, the inquisition of physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei began, under the auspices of chief inquisitor Father Vincenzo Maculano da Firenzuola, appointed by Pope Urban VIII. Galileo was ordered to turn himself in to the Holy Office to begin trial for holding the belief that the Earth revolves around the Sun, which … Continue reading April 12 1633 Inquisition Of Galileo For Heresy Begins
April 11 1814 Napoleon Bonaparte Exiled To Elba
On April 11th 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte was banished to the Mediterranean island of Elba after abdicating his throne in the Treaty of Fontainebleau. Napoleon was the emperor of France and one of the greatest military leaders in history. The future emperor was born as Napoleone di Buonaparte in Ajaccio, Corsica, on August 15th 1769, the … Continue reading April 11 1814 Napoleon Bonaparte Exiled To Elba
April 10 1970 The Beatles Breakup Announced
On April 10th 1970, in an ambiguous self-interview by Paul McCartney, the international media correctly interpreted that the Beatles had broken up. During the "interview, in which McCartney was both questioner and interviewee, he asked himself the question "Do you foresee a time when Lennon-McCartney becomes an active songwriting partnership again?" His response to his … Continue reading April 10 1970 The Beatles Breakup Announced
Craig Hill 