Today in History

Historical Events

2015

Terrorist attacks in Paris. A series of coordinated terrorist attacks that included suicide bombs and mass shootings took place in France's capital city. Venues attacked included the Stade de France and the Bataclan theater during a concert. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or Daesh (ISIL) took responsibility for the attacks that killed about 130 people.

1994

Sweden votes to join EU. The referendum passed with over 50% of Swedish citizens voting to join the European Union. The Nordic country officially joined the EU on January 1, 1995.

1985

Armero tragedy. The late evening eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia caused volcanic mudflows, called lahars, and flooded the city of Armero, killing 25,000 of its residents. The Armero tragedy is considered to be one of the deadliest volcano related disasters in the 20th century.

1950

Assassination of Carlos Delgado Chalbaud. The Venezuelan president and head of the military Junta was kidnapped and killed by rebels headed by Rafael Simón Urbina. Chalbaud came to power after a coup against Rómulo Gallegos in 1948.

1887

Bloody Sunday in London. Protests by poor and unemployed Londoners over their hardships in Trafalgar Square took a violent turn when the police charged on those protesting with batons. By the end of the day, 2 or 3 people were killed and several hundred protestors were injured.

Famous Births

Born on this day

Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Ayaan Hirsi Ali

1969

Dutch politician, author

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg

1955

American actress, singer, talk show host

Louis Brandeis

Louis Brandeis

1856

American jurist

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson

1850

Scottish author, poet

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero

2005

American wrestler

Margaret Murray

Margaret Murray

1963

English anthropologist

Camille Pissarro

Camille Pissarro

1903

French painter

Gioachino Rossini

Gioachino Rossini

1868

Italian composer

Malcolm III of Scotland

Malcolm III of Scotland

1093