Today in History

Historical Events

1978

Dominica gains independence. The Caribbean Island nation gained its independence from the British after being colonized in 1805.

1973

NASA launches Mariner 10. The last of the Mariner Program, Mariner 10 was the first spacecraft to flyby two planets - Venus and Mercury. The probe flew by Venus on February 5, 1974, and did 3 flybys of Mercury on March 29, 1974, September 21, 1974, and on March 16, 1975, after which communications with the probe were terminated.

1954

Godzilla released. The Japanese science fiction starring a mutated monster of the same name became an instant hit.

1868

John Willis Menard elected to U.S. House of Representatives. He became the first African-American to be elected to the house.

1838

The Times of India founded. The world's largest English-language daily was launched as a bi-weekly as the Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce in Bombay, India.

Famous Births

Born on this day

Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren

1957

Swedish actor

Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour

1949

English/American journalist, editor

Amartya Sen

Amartya Sen

1933

Indian economist, Nobel Prize laureate

Bob Feller

Bob Feller

1918

American baseball player

John Mitchel

John Mitchel

1815

Irish journalist, activist

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Jean-Bédel Bokassa

Jean-Bédel Bokassa

1996

Central African politician, 2nd President of the Central African Republic

Wilhelm Reich

Wilhelm Reich

1957

Austrian/American psychotherapist

Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse

1954

French painter

Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley

1926

American target shooter