Today in History

Historical Events

1998

Pope John Paul II visits Cuba. It was the first time any Pope visited the country.

1976

Concorde takes off on its first scheduled flights. 2 of the supersonic aircraft took off from Paris and London simultaneously.

1968

The Battle of Khe Sanh begins. It is one of the most publicized battles of the Vietnam War.

1911

23 cars take part in the first Rally Monte Carlo. Unlike today, the competitors set out from 11 different European locations, heading for the finish line in Monte Carlo.

1899

Opel builds its first automobile. Today, Opel is one of the world's largest car manufacturers.

Famous Births

Born on this day

Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon

1963

Nigerian/American basketball player

Plácido Domingo

Plácido Domingo

1941

Spanish tenor, conductor

Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus

1940

American golfer

Christian Dior

Christian Dior

1905

French fashion designer, founded S.A.

Stonewall Jackson

Stonewall Jackson

1824

American general

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Colonel Tom Parker

Colonel Tom Parker

1997

Dutch/American talent manager

George Orwell

George Orwell

1950

English author

Georges Méliès

Georges Méliès

1938

French director

Vladimir Lenin

Vladimir Lenin

1924

Russian politician

Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury

Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury

1683

English politician