Today in History
Important Events
- 1862 First pasteurization test completed by Frenchmen Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard
- 1902 Marie and Pierre Curie isolate the radioactive compound radium chloride
- 1920 Balfour Declaration recognized, makes Palestine a British Mandate
- 1968 British politician Enoch Powell makes his controversial "Rivers of Blood" speech
- 1974 'The Troubles', the Northern Ireland conflict between republican and loyalist paramilitaries, British security forces, and civil rights groups, claims its 1000th victim
- 1980 Climax of Berber Spring in Algeria sees hundreds of Berber political activists arrested
- 1999 Columbine High School massacre: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold kill 13 people and injure 24 others before committing suicide at Columbine High School, Colorado
- 2010 The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explodes, killing 11 and causing the rig to sink, causing a massive oil discharge into the Gulf of Mexico and an environmental disaster
Today in Film & TV
- 1977 "Annie Hall", directed by Woody Allen and starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, is released (Academy Awards Best Picture 1978)
Today in Music
- 1896 1st public film showing in US John Philip Sousa's "El Capitan" premieres in NYC
Today in Sport
- 2008 Danica Patrick driving for Andretti Green Racing wins the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi; first female driver in history to win an IndyCar Series race
Did You Know?
Did You Know?First known performance of Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth at the Globe Theatre, London, recorded by Simon Forman
On this day in 1611
Famous Birthdays
- Adolf Hitler
(1889 - 1945) - Jessica Lange
72nd Birthday - Carmen Electra
49th Birthday
Adolf Hitler
Jessica Lange
Carmen ElectraTomorrow's Famous Birthdays
- Catherine the Great
(1729 - 1796) - Charlotte Brontë
(1816 - 1855) - Elizabeth II
Turns 95
Catherine the Great
Charlotte Brontë
Elizabeth IIWould You Believe?
President Jimmy Carter is attacked by a swamp rabbit which swam up to his fishing boat in Plains, Georgia
On this day in 1979
Famous Weddings
- 1914 Poet and critic Ezra Pound (28) weds Dorothy Shakespear
- 1968 The Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein (24) weds fellow reporter Carol Honsa
- 2002 MLB Outfielder Carl Yastrzemski (62) weds Nancy Benson
Famous Divorces
- 2006 Actor-writer Charlie Shanian (39) divorces former Beverly Hills, 90210 actress Tori Spelling (32) only 15 months after their lavish $1-million wedding
Bram Stoker
Dorothy Height
Avicii
Tiradentes
Mark Twain
The Red BaronThis Month in History
Wicked or Sinless? The Life of Lucrezia Borgia
Hardly a week went by when Lucrezia Borgia, born on this day, was not accused of some foul deed. But was she just a pawn in the hands of her evil family?
April 18, 1480Millions Come Up to See Mae West
Mae West, jailed on this day for obscenity, became one of the most successful sex symbols. Fans could not resist the offer: ‘Come up and see me some time.’
April 19, 1927World's First Motor Race
It was hardly the stuff of today's adrenalin-pumping Formula 1 match ups, but on this day two men climbed aboard their machine for "the world’s first motor race”.
April 20, 1887A Son, A Son – My Wife For A Son!
Henry VIII, who became King of England on this day in history, disposed of two wives in his quest for a son and heir – and was to marry four others.
April 21, 1509
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