Today in History

Historical Events

2003

Shenzhou 5, China's first human space flight mission launched. Launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the middle of the Gobi desert in northern China, this launch brought the Chinese into the exclusive club of countries who have achieved manned space flight. The other countries are the USA and the Soviet Union/Russia.

1990

Mikhail Gorbachev is Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The then President of the Soviet Union received the prestigious award given out by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, for his role in lessening tensions during the Cold War.

1987

Thomas Sankara killed. Thomas Sankara, the President of Burkina Faso, was killed during a coup led by Blaise Compaoré.

1951

I Love Lucy Airs for the First Time. The American sitcom aired on CBS and featured real-life couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The popular show lasted for 6 years and it had several spin-offs after it went off air.

1783

World’s First Manned Balloon Flight. Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier, a teacher from France, spent about 4 minutes in the air in a balloon made by flight pioneers Joseph-Michael and Jacques-Ètienne Montgolfier. The Montgolfier brothers were responsible for the world’s first balloon flight and for sending the first living being – a duck – on a balloon.

Famous Births

Born on this day

Fela Kuti

Fela Kuti

1938

Nigerian singer-songwriter, musician, activist

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

1931

Indian scientist, politician, 11th President of India

Michel Foucault

Michel Foucault

1926

French philosopher

P. G. Wodehouse

P. G. Wodehouse

1881

English author

Friedrich Nietzsche

Friedrich Nietzsche

1844

German philosopher

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Cole Porter

Cole Porter

1964

American composer

Stepan Bandera

Stepan Bandera

1959

Ukrainian politician

Hermann Göring

Hermann Göring

1946

German military leader, politician, Minister President of Prussia

Mata Hari

Mata Hari

1917

Dutch spy

Tadeusz Kościuszko

Tadeusz Kościuszko

1817

Polish/American general