Today in History

Historical Events

1977

Egyptian president Anwar Sadat visits Israel. Sadat was the first Arab head of state to visit Israel and address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. His visit came under severe criticism both in Israel and in the Arab world. Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 for their attempts to bring a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

1969

Pelé’s 1000th goal. The Brazilian footballer, often considered to be the greatest athlete of the 20th century, made his 1,000th professional goal against Vasco da Gama at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

1946

Gettysburg Address. Thought to be one of the most memorable and influential speeches in the history of the United States, the address was delivered by American President Abraham Lincoln while dedicating the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 4 months after the bloody Battle of Gettysburg. The short address which was only 272 words in length, emphasized that the American Civil War wasn’t just a war to save the union, but also a war to ensure equality and freedom.

1943

Janowska camp uprising. The concentration camp in occupied Poland was set up in 1941. In November 1943, in anticipation of the advancement of Soviet troops, the Nazis tried to evacuate the camp and used the inmates to remove traces of executions and mass killings in the past. On this day, the inmates staged an uprising and attempted to escape. Most escapees, however, were recaptured and killed.

1794

Signing of the Jay Treaty. The treaty, officially known as, Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation, between His Britannic Majesty and The United States of America, was signed between representatives of the United States and Britain. It called for the British to surrender northwestern posts to the U.S. and for them to consider the United States as a most favored nation for trade between the two countries.

Famous Births

Born on this day

Tommy Thompson

Tommy Thompson

1941

American politician, 42nd Governor of Wisconsin

Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi

1917

Indian politician, 3rd Prime Minister of India

José Raúl Capablanca

José Raúl Capablanca

1888

Cuban chess player

James A. Garfield

James A. Garfield

1831

American politician, 20th President of the United States

Charles I of England

Charles I of England

1600

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Thomas H. Ince

Thomas H. Ince

1924

American actor, director, producer

Joseph F. Smith

Joseph F. Smith

1918

American religious leader, 6th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Richard Mentor Johnson

Richard Mentor Johnson

1850

American politician, 9th Vice President of the United States

Franz Schubert

Franz Schubert

1828

Austrian composer

Wolfe Tone

Wolfe Tone

1798

Irish patriot