Today in History

Historical Events

1903

The first Tour de France comes to an end. Maurice Garin became the first person to win the debut of the now annual bike race.

1900

Paris Metro opens. One of the densest metros in the world and the second largest metro in Europe, the first line of the Paris Metro opened during the World's Fair.

1870

Franco-Prussian War starts. The war involving France, under Napoleon and the Kingdom of Prussia began with French declaration of war. The war lasted for 9 months and ended with a German victory.

1848

Seneca Falls Convention begins. One of the first women's rights convention to be held in American history, the two-day convention attracted 300 women and men who protested the social, economic, and political discrimination American women faced.

1553

Mary I replaces Lady Jane Grey as Queen of England. Also known as Bloody Mary due to her brutal persecution of Protestants, Mary I was the only child of Catherine of Aragon and Henry III.

Famous Births

Born on this day

George Mc

George Mc

1922

GovernAmerican politician, historian, author

Harold Camping

Harold Camping

1921

American broadcaster, author

Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas

1834

French painter

Mangal Pandey

Mangal Pandey

1827

Indian freedom fighter

Samuel Colt

Samuel Colt

1814

American inventor, industrialist, founded the Colt's Manufacturing Company

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Omar Suleiman

Omar Suleiman

2012

Egyptian politician, Vice President of Egypt

Alan Lomax

Alan Lomax

2002

American historian, author, scholar

Hans Morgenthau

Hans Morgenthau

1980

German philosopher

Mary Boleyn

Mary Boleyn

1543

English sister of Anne Boleyn

Petrarch

Petrarch

1374

Italian scholar, poet