Today in History

Historical Events

2005

IRA Army Council Announces End to Armed Campaign. The Provisional Irish Republican Army, also known as IRA, announced an end to its armed campaign in the group's effort to free Northern Ireland from United Kingdom's rule.

1958

National Aeronautics and Space Act is passed by the US Congress. The act established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

1928

IX Summer Olympics open. The IX Summer Olympics opened in Amsterdam

1928

IX Summer Olympics open. The IX Summer Olympics opened in Amsterdam

1821

Peru declares independence. The Peruvian War of Independence against Spain began in 1811 and ended with a declaration of independence under the leadership of José de San Martín.

Famous Births

Born on this day

Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy

1990

American rapper, producer, actor

Hugo Chávez

Hugo Chávez

1954

Venezuelan military officer, politician, President of Venezuela

Alberto Fujimori

Alberto Fujimori

1938

Peruvian politician

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

1929

American book editor, 37th First Lady of the United States

Karl Popper

Karl Popper

1902

Austrian/English philosopher

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Francis Crick

Francis Crick

2004

English biologist, biophysicist, neuroscientist, Nobel Prize laureate

Otto Hahn

Otto Hahn

1968

German chemist, Nobel Prize laureate

Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach

1750

German organist, composer

Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi

1741

Italian violinist, composer

Thomas Cromwell

Thomas Cromwell

1540

English statesman