Today in History

Historical Events

2000

Bulldozer Revolution in former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. President Slobodan Milosevic was overthrown after hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade to protest against recently held elections. While largely peaceful, the protesters burnt down the Parliament building. Milosevic resigned and stepped down from his office two days later.

1984

First Canadian to go into space. Marc Garneau flew as the payload specialist on STS-41-G, the 6th flight of NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger. The flight that launched on this day was also the first space mission to have 2 women - Sally Ride and Kathryn Sullivan.

1969

Monty Python’s Flying Circus makes its debut. The British sketch comedy series lasted for a year on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The show was a commentary on daily life in Britain and had several recurring themes and characters played by Eric Idle, Graham Chapman John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and Terry Jones. The sketches are often thought to have had a strong influence on television comedy around the world.

1962

James Bond makes his theatrical debut. The fictional British spy with the code name 007 was featured on the big screen for the first time in Dr. No. Based on the 1958 Ian Fleming novel of the same name, the movie starred Sean Connery as James Bond.

1947

First televised presidential speech in the United States. Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the US, called on Americans to use less grain to help Europe which was still reeling from the effects of the Second World War. He asked people to avoid eating meat on Tuesdays and eggs and poultry on Thursdays, and to consume 1 less slice of bread every day.

Famous Births

Born on this day

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet

1975

English actress, singer

Neil de

Neil de

1958

Grasse TysonAmerican astrophysicist

Václav Havel

Václav Havel

1936

Czech politician, 1st President of the Czech Republic

Robert H. Goddard

Robert H. Goddard

1882

American physicist, inventor

Chester A. Arthur

Chester A. Arthur

1829

American politician, 21st President of the United States

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs

2011

American businessman, co-founded Apple Inc., Pixar

Louis Brandeis

Louis Brandeis

1941

American jurist

Sam Warner

Sam Warner

1927

American film producer, co-founded Warner Bros.

Jacques Offenbach

Jacques Offenbach

1880

German/French composer

Tecumseh

Tecumseh

1813

American tribal leader