Today in History

Historical Events

2003

Saddam Hussein captured. Saddam Hussein, the fifth president of Iraq, was found hiding in a camouflaged hole in the ground and was captured by American forces near Tikrit, Iraq. The military operation that led to his capture was called Operation Red Dawn. He was subsequently handed over to the interim Iraqi government. After a trial where he was found guilty of crimes against humanity, he was executed 3 years after his capture in December 2006.

2001

Attack on Indian parliament. The Indian parliament, the Sansad, was attacked by terrorists. 15 people, including the terrorists were killed during the attack.

1972

Last human landing on the Moon. Apollo 17 was the last mission of the United States' Apollo lunar landing program. It was also the sixth and the last time humans landed on the Moon.

1795

Meteorite crashes into Wold Newton in Yorkshire, England.. Major Edward Topham owned the land where the meteorite crashed. He exhibited it later, and today it is in the Natural History Museum in London.

1642

First European to Reach New Zealand. Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer and merchant, reached the coast of South Island in New Zealand, and named it Staten Landt. Tasman was also the first European in recorded history to step foot on Tasmania, an island state in Australia. Tasman claimed the island for the Dutch crown. It is named after him as well.

Famous Births

Born on this day

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

1989

American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actress

Ted Nugent

Ted Nugent

1948

American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor

Aga Khan IVSwiss/French 49th Nizari Ismaili Imam

Aga Khan IVSwiss/French 49th Nizari Ismaili Imam

1936

Talcott Parsons

Talcott Parsons

1902

American sociologist

Mary Todd Lincoln

Mary Todd Lincoln

1818

American wife of Abraham Lincoln, 17th First Lady of the United States

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Richard Holbrooke

Richard Holbrooke

2010

American journalist, banker, diplomat, 22nd United States Ambassador to the United Nations

Stanley Williams

Stanley Williams

2005

American gang leader, co-founded the Crips

Wassily Kandinsky

Wassily Kandinsky

1944

Russian/French painter

Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson

1784

English author, lexicographer

Maimonides

Maimonides

1204

Spanish rabbi, philosopher