April 30 - Death of Adolf Hitler

This Day in History: 30 April 2020

 

30 April 1945

 

75 years ago, today, Adolf Hitler, dictator of Germany, committed suicide in his underground bunker. He consumed a cyanide capsule, then proceeded to shoot himself. Hitler had repaired his bunker 3 months prior, which contained 18 small rooms and was fully self-sufficient, as it had its own water and electrical supply. Down there, he spent most of his time micromanaging the remains of German defences and entertaining guests. His newlywed Eva Braun was at his side, married only one day prior to their suicide, and so was his dog, an Alsatian named Blondi.

 

A warning had come in from officers that the Soviets were extremely close to overtaking the chancellery, and urged Hitler to escape to Berchtesgaden, in the Bavarian Alps, where he owned a home. Instead, him and his wife chose suicide, both swallowing cyanide capsules, that were first tested for their efficiency on Blondi and her puppies. The bodies of Hitler and Eva were cremated in the chancellery garden by the bunker survivors, as part of the dictator's orders, and later recovered in part by Soviet troops. The Soviets continually changed their location in order to prevent Hitler's supporters creating a memorial at his final resting place. Eight days later, the German forces issued an unconditional surrender.

 

Want to find out more about the death of Adolf Hitler? Click here for more information.

 

April 29 - Liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp

This Day in History: 29 April 2020

 

29 April 1945

 

75 years ago, today, Dachau concentration camp was liberated by Americans. Five hundred German troops that were guarding the camp were killed within an hour, some murdered by inmates, but mostly by American liberators. These liberators were horrified by what they witnessed at the camp, as they saw huge piles of emaciated dead bodies that were found in more than 30 railway cars and near the crematorium. Prior to this, as the Allied forces were advancing on Germany, 7,000 prisoners from Dachau were forced to begin a death march to Tegernsee, and the next day, many of the SS guards abandoned the camp. The German citizens from Dachau were later forced to bury the 9,000 dead inmates found at the camp.

 

At Dachau, there were 33,000 survivors, of which 2,539 were Jewish. The camp was the first established by the Nazi regime, and at least 160,000 prisoners passed through the main camp. Medical experiments, such as studying the effects of freezing on warm-blooded creatures in order to treat malaria, were carried out on prisoners. At least 32,000 prisoners at Dachau died of malnutrition and mistreatment, but an unthinkable amount more were transported to the Auschwitz gas chambers. On September 11, 1956, a memorial was established at the site.

 

Want to find out more about the liberation and history of the Dachau concentration camp? Click here for more information, or here for the first report from the camp in 1934.

 

April 28 - Death of Benito Mussolini

This Day in History: 28 April 2020

 

28 April 1945

 

75 years ago, today, Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were shot by Italian partisans that had captured the couple as they attempted to flee to Switzerland. The deposed former Italian dictator was established by his German allies as the figurehead of a puppet government in northern Italy as the end of the war drew nearer. The Allies were fighting their way up the Italian peninsula, so it was certain that the Axis powers would soon be defeated, forcing Mussolini to consider his options.

 

He did not want to fall into the hands of the British or American forces and knew that the Soviets would try him as a war criminal. The communist partisans had been fighting the last Italian fascist soldiers and thugs in the north. This caused Mussolini to decide to escape to a neutral country. He and Petacci made their way to the Swiss border but discovered that the guards had crossed to the partisan side. Mussolini disguised himself in a Luftwaffe coat and helmet, hoping to slip into Austria amongst German soldiers. This proved ineffective, and the couple were discovered and shot. Their bodies were transported to Milan, where they were hung upside down and displayed in public for viewing.

 

Want to find out more about the life and death of Benito Mussolini? Click here for more information.

 

April 27 - First Multiracial Elections in South Africa

This Day in History: 27 April 2020

 

27 April 1994

 

26 years ago, today, South Africa held its first multiracial elections, as more than 22 million citizens came to cast their vote, choosing Nelson Mandela to lead them. In his earlier years, Mandela advocated for nonviolence in resistance to South Africa's apartheid system, consisting of white supremacy and racial segregation. However, this was broken after the massacre of peaceful black demonstrators in 1960, as Mandela helped to organise a paramilitary branch of the African National Congress, in order to engage in guerrilla warfare. Later, he would face many years in prison and on trial and would even be convicted to life in prison in 1964, while still remaining as the symbolic leader of the anti-apartheid movement.

 

Mandela was released from prison in 1990 when F.W. de Klerk became South Africa's president, and began to take apartheid to pieces. Both were awarded a joint Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, for their work establishing a multiracial government and ending apartheid. In their first free elections, the overwhelmingly large majority chose Mandela to head a new coalition government that would include his African National Congress Party, the National Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party. Soon after, in May, Mandela was instituted as president, becoming the nation's first black head of state, keeping this position until 1999. Following these elections, 27 April became a national public holiday, named Freedom Day.

 

Want to find out more about the first free votes held in South Africa? Click here for more information, or here for a news report from the day.

April 26 - Chernobyl Power Plant Incident

This Day in History: 26 April 2020

 

26 April 1986

 

34 years ago, today, the world's worst nuclear power plant incident occurred at Chernobyl power station in the Soviet Union. This resulted in 32 deaths and many radiation burns in the first days, but the accident was only admitted by the Soviet authorities after Swedish authorities reported the fallout. On the evening prior the incident, a group of engineers began an experiment on one of the reactors but had very little knowledge of reactor physics. Their poorly designed experiment involved disconnecting the emergency safety systems and its power-regulating system, as well as even more mistakes. This resulted in the power levels in the reactor increasing to meltdown levels, as a chemical explosion occurred that blew off the lid of the reactor, releasing more than 50 tons of radioactive material into the atmosphere.

 

The next day, Soviet authorities began to evacuate the nearby inhabitants, and attempted to cover up the incident. However, this failed, as Swedish radiation monitoring stations close to Chernobyl reported high radiation levels, causing the Soviet news agency to later acknowledge the accident. The radiation that escaped was several times that produced by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and was spread by the wind, contaminating millions of acres of forest and agricultural land. It is estimated that 5,000 Soviets eventually died from cancer and radiation-related illnesses caused by the Chernobyl incident, and millions more citizen's health were affected. Chernobyl's last working reactors were shut down in 2000, and the plant was officially closed.

 

Want to find out more about the Chernobyl power plant incident? Click here for more information, or watch the 2019 miniseries 'Chernobyl' that revolves around the nuclear disaster.

 

April 25 - Birth of Oliver Cromwell

This Day in History: 25 April 2020

25 April 1599

421 years ago, today, Oliver Cromwell was born in Huntingdon, England. Best known for making England a republic and leading the Commonwealth of England, Cromwell was a significant English military and political leader. As one of the generals on the parliamentary side of the English Civil War, against Charles I, he helped overthrow the Stuart monarchy, and consequently became Lord Protector of England. In this role, he raised England's status to more of a leading European power, after the decline it had faced following the death of Queen Elizabeth I. 

Cromwell believed deeply in the importance of religious toleration; despite the fact he was a convinced Calvinist. Throughout history, he has been labelled as a dictator by some, including Winston Churchill, as he was a devout Puritan, particularly intolerant of Catholics and Quakers. However, he is credited for helping to lead Great Britain toward a constitutional government. It is thought that he was prompted to join this sect in the 1630s due to his marriage to Elizabeth Bourchier, whose family was active in the Puritan church. After his death, his body was dug out by supporters of the monarchy and was beheaded. His head was then displayed on a pole outside Westminster for more than 20 years. 

Want to find out more about the life and legacy of Oliver Cromwell? Click here for more information.

April 24 - Easter Rebellion

This Day in History: 24 April 2020

 

24 April 1916

 

104 years ago, today, on Easter Monday in Dublin, the Irish Republican Brotherhood launched the Easter Rebellion, an armed uprising against British rule. The secret organisation was led by Patrick Pearse and consisted of Irish nationalists. They rioted and attacked British provincial government headquarters across Dublin and seized the capital's General Post Office. Afterwards, they proclaimed the independence of Ireland, which had been under the repressive control of Britain for centuries. By the next morning, they were in control of much of the city, but later that day, British authorities launched a counteroffensive. The uprising had been crushed by April 29.

 

Following the rebellion, Pearse and many other nationalist leaders were executed for their participation, causing them to be viewed as martyrs by many in Ireland. Armed protest still continued, and 5 years later, 26 of Ireland's 32 counties won independence with the declaration of the Irish Free State. However, as 6 still remained part of the United Kingdom, some nationalists were prompted into forming the Irish Republican Army to continue to struggle for full Irish independence. In the 1960s, the pro-Catholic side of the IRA battled British troops, sparking a series of terrorist bombings and attacks. The group finally gave up their weapons in July 2005 and continued to strive for independence through peaceful means.

 

Want to find out more about the Easter Rebellion? Click here for more information.

 

April 23 - Presumed Birth of William Shakespeare

This Day in History: 23 April 2020

 

23 April 1564

 

456 years ago, today, William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. Although it is impossible to know his exact date of birth, his baptism took place on April 26, and three days was a traditional amount of time to wait before baptising a new-born. Shakespeare is widely recognised as one of the greatest writers in the English language, gaining the nickname of England's national poet. Throughout his life, he wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, a few verses and two long narrative poems. Despite this, the authorship of some remains uncertain. His plays have since been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any playwright.

 

At 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was 8 years older than him. Together, they had three children, named Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. After his marriage, he is thought to have spent most of his time in London, as he wrote and performed in his plays, although information about his life became very rare. Around 1613, he retired to Stratford, at the age of 49, where he died three years later, on April 23, the same presumed day of his birth. Most of his best-known work was produced between 1589 and his retirement. His earlier plays were mainly comedies and histories, whereas his works afterwards consisted largely of tragedies, including 'Othello' and 'Macbeth'. In his last years, he wrote romances, and collaborated with many other playwrights. He remains highly popular today, as he is constantly studied and reinterpreted in cultures and contexts around the world.

 

Want to find out more about the life and legacy of William Shakespeare? Click here for more information, or here for a video.

 

April 22 - First Earth Day

This Day in History: 22 April 2020

 

22 April 1970

 

50 years ago, today, the first Earth Day was celebrated, in order to increase public awareness of the Earth's environmental crisis, making today its 50^th anniversary. This occurred in the United States, where millions of Americans, including students, participated in rallies, marches and enacted in educational programs across the nation. The event was thought of by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who was an environmentalist wanting to encourage unity to the movement and increase ecological awareness. He spoke of the objective being to get a "nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political establishment out of its lethargy".

 

Senator Nelson indeed achieved his aim, as the first Earth Day did increase environmental awareness in America, and 3 months later, the Environmental Protection Agency was established by a special executive order to help regulate and enforce the national pollution legislation. This national occasion also led to the passage of the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. On Earth Day's 20^th anniversary, more than 200 million people in 141 countries participated in celebrations. President Clinton also awarded Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Throughout the years, Earth Day has actually been celebrated on different days by certain groups. Despite its traditional celebration date being on April 22, the United Nations officially celebrates it on the vernal equinox, usually occurring on around March 21.

 

Want to find out more about the history of Earth Day? Click here for more information.

 

April 21 - Death of King Henry VII

This Day in History: 21 April 2020

 

21 April 1509

 

511 years ago, today, King Henry VII died of tuberculosis at Richmond Palace, and was buried in the chapel that he had commissioned in Westminster Abbey, next to his wife, Elizabeth. He was succeeded by his son, Henry VIII. Also known as Henry Tudor, he was the first king in the Tudor dynasty after defeating King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth, in August 1485. This battle is regarded to have been the last in the series of battles, known as the Wars of the Roses, which brought years of instability to England. When Henry died, his country finally had regained the wealth lost in the years of war, and the position of the King was secure.

 

As a usurper, Henry's main aim as King was to consolidate his power and secure his dynasty. His attempts to do this were more successful than not. He married a Yorkist, Elizabeth of York, which symbolically ended the Wars of the Roses, as it united the two houses. The rebellions he faced were dealt with successfully, as he defeated Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, while also creating alliances with problematic countries, such as Scotland and Burgundy. However, other Yorkist claimants, such as Richard and Edmund de la Pole, were not completely dealt with until the last years of Henry's life, meaning that he was never fully secure. Despite this, King Henry ultimately restored the power and stability of the English monarchy after years of turmoil and replenished the fortunes of an effectively bankrupt country.

 

Want to find out more about the life of King Henry VII? Click here for more information.

 

April 20 - Operation Corncob and Hitler's Birthday

This Day in History: 20 April 2020

 

20 April 1945

 

75 years ago, today, the Allied bombing campaign 'Operation Corncob' begun in Italy. This was a three-day attack on the bridges over the rivers Po, Adige and Brenta in northern Italy, in an attempt to cut off German lines of retreat on the peninsula. The operation was the fourth and final phase of the overall Allied bombing effort in the last few weeks of the Italian campaign. Prior to this, the first three phases had been carefully orchestrated and pre-planned, to neutralise the German defence efforts before the launch of 'Buckland' and 'Craftsman'.

 

This happened to coincide with Adolf Hitler's 56^th birthday, celebrated as he made his last trip from the Führerbunker to the surface. In the now ruined garden of the Reich Chancellery, he awarded Iron Crosses to the boy soldiers of the Hitler Youth, who were now fighting the Soviet Red Army at the front near Berlin. This was his last public appearance before he and his wife, Eva Braun, committed suicide, 10 days later. The Hitler Youth was the youth organisation of the Nazi Party, for male youths aged 14 to 18. For younger boys, aged 10 to 14, they could instead be part of the German Youngsters in the Hitler Youth. Released earlier this year, the film 'Jojo Rabbit', written and directed by Taika Waititi, satirises the Hitler Youth, and is a very worthwhile watch.

 

Want to find out more about Operation Corncob? Click here for more information, or for more about Hitler's last days, click here.

 

April 19 - Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

This Day in History: 19 April 2020

 

19 April 1943

 

77 years ago, today, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising began, when Jewish resistance fighters start firing against Nazi forces attempting to clear out the Jewish ghetto. Shortly after the German occupation of Poland, the Jewish citizens were forced into a 'ghetto', that was surrounded by barbwire and SS guards. This occupied almost 500,000 Jews in shocking conditions, that caused disease and starvation, killing thousands every month. From this ghetto, 6,000 Jews per day started to be transported to the Treblinka concentration camp, but the remaining Jews were assured that their friends and family were being sent to work camps. An underground resistance group was established in the ghetto, called the Jewish Combat Organisation, and limited arms were gained at great cost.

 

The uprising began when Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler announced the ghetto would be emptied in honour of Hitler's birthday. Many of the ghetto's remaining 60,000 dwellers attempted to hide in secret bunkers, but more than 1,000 resistance members met the Germans with gunfire and homemade bombs. The Germans initially withdrew, but suffering moderate casualties, soon returned, and 5 days later launched an all-out attack against the Warsaw Jews. Thousands were slaughtered in the ghettos, as buildings were blown up one by one, but the resistance continued to group in the sewers. Unfortunately, on May 8, their command bunker fell to the Germans, leading to their leaders committing suicide. During the uprising, around 300 Germans were killed, but thousands of Jews were massacred. It is believed that all those who survived the uprising to reach Treblinka were dead by the end of World War Two.

 

Want to find out more about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising? Click here for more information.

 

April 18 - US Embassy Attack in Beirut

This Day in History: 18 April 2020

 

18 April 1983

 

37 years ago, today, the US embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, was nearly completely destroyed by a suicide bomber, resulting in the deaths of 63 people, including the bomber and 17 Americans. The attack was carried out in protest of the US military presence in Lebanon. 8 years prior, a civil war had erupted in Lebanon, as Palestinians and leftist Muslims battled militias of the Christian Phalange Party, the Maronite Christian Community, and other groups. For the next few years, Syria, Israel and the United Nations attempted to intervene, but this failed. On August 20, 1982, US Marines landed in Beirut to oversee the withdrawal of Palestinian forces.

 

The Marines did leave Beirut on September 10, but returned over 2 weeks later, after the massacre of Palestinian refugees by a Christian group. The next day, the first US Marine died on the mission while defusing a bomb, and on this day, the US embassy in Beirut was bombed. In October, Lebanese terrorists evaded security measure as they drove a truck with explosives into the US Marine barracks in Beirut, murdering 241. 52 French soldiers were also killed at the same time, in a different terrorist attack. President Ronald Raegan later announced the withdrawal of US forces, and on February 26, 1984, the last US Marines left Beirut.

 

Want to find out more about the US Embassy attack? Click here for more information.

 

April 17 - Alexander Dubcek Resigns

This Day in History: 17 April 2020

 

17 April 1969

 

51 years ago, today, Alexander Dubcek, the communist leader who launched a range of liberal reforms in Czechoslovakia, was forced to resign by Soviet forces. In his place, Gustav Husak was appointed leader, re-establishing an authoritarian communist dictatorship. In 1963, the move towards liberalisation in Czechoslovakia began, reaching its peak in 1968, after Antonin Novotny was replaced by Dubcek. A series of far-reaching political and economic reforms were introduced, which included increased freedom of speech, and an end to widespread censorship, coined 'communism with a human face'. This was celebrated across the country, and this brief period of freedom became known as the 'Prague Spring'.

 

In August, the Soviet Union responded to the reforms with an invasion by 600,000 Warsaw Pact troops, but Prague was not eager to give way. However, scattered student resistance was no match for Soviet tanks. The reforms were repealed, and Gustav Husak was brought in to replace Dubcek. 20 years later, as communist governments began to collapse across Eastern Europe, Prague again began to desire democratic reforms, and in December 1989, Husak's government granted the demands for a multiparty parliament. However, this caused Husak to resign, and Dubcek returned to politics for the first time in two decades, taking the role of chairman of the new parliament, which later elected Vaclav Havel as president. During the Prague Spring, Havel had gained popularity, but after the Soviet invasion, his plays were banned, and his passport was confiscated.

 

Want to find out more about the life and legacy of Alexander Dubcek? Click here for more information, or here for more about the Prague Spring.

April 16 - Virginia Tech Shooting

This Day in History: 16 April 2020

 

16 April 2007

 

13 years ago, today, 32 people tragically died after being gunned down on the campus of Virginia Tech, by a student at the college, Seung-Hui Cho, who later died by suicide. This shooting began at around 7:15am, when Cho shot a female student and male resident assistant in a campus dormitory, before fleeing the building. Police soon rushed to the scene, but were unaware of the gunman's identity, resulting in an inaccurate pursuit of the female victim's boyfriend, in what they believed to be a domestic-violence incident. However, around 2 hours later, Cho entered a classroom building, chained and locked several main doors, and went room to room shooting people. Shortly after this rampage, he died from suicide, as he shot himself.

 

This incident left 32 people dead, of which 27 were students, and 5 were faculty members. Two days later, NBC News received a package from Cho, with a timestamp revealing that it had been sent between the two attacks. In the package, photos were found of Cho wielding a gun, with a video diatribe, where he ranted about the wealthy 'brats' of Virginia Tech. Later, authorities found no evidence that Cho had specifically targeted any of his victims, but it was revealed that he had a history of mental health problems and was described as by students as a loner who rarely spoke to anyone. In addition, Cho had submitted angry writings for some class assignments that did raise concerns among his professors and students, before the attack. Virginia Tech was later fined for failing to issue a campus warning after Cho shot his first victims.

 

Want to find out more about the tragic Virginia Tech shooting? Click here for more information.

 

April 15 - The Titanic Sinks

This Day in History: 15 April 2020

 

15 April 1912

 

108 years ago, today, the British ocean liner Titanic sunk into the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean. The huge ship, able to carry 2,200 passengers and crew, had struck an iceberg two and half hours prior. It had departed Southampton 5 days earlier, on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was designed by the Irish shipbuilder William Pirrie and was thought to be the world's fastest ship. Its hull was divided into 16 compartments that were presumed to be watertight, and 4 of these could be flooded without causing a critical impact, causing the world to think that the Titanic was unsinkable.

 

Just before midnight on April 14, the ship failed to divert its course from an iceberg, and at least 5 of its hull compartments were seriously damaged. They began to fill with water, which then filled its succeeding compartments, causing the bow to sink. The ship then broke in half, and the stern and bow quickly sank to the ocean floor. Unfortunately, there was a shortage of lifeboats, so more than 1,500 people went down in the wreckage or froze to death in the icy waters. The survivors were later brought onboard the Cunard liner Carpathia, but announcements of the events' details led to outrage across the world. Rules were adopted that required every ship to now have lifeboat space for each person on board, and that lifeboat drills were mandatory. As well as this, an International Ice Patrol was created to monitor icebergs in the North Atlantic area, and it was also required that ships keep a constant 24-hour radio watch. This was because it was later discovered that the Leyland liner Californian was close to the incident but failed to hear the distress signals of the Titanic as its radio operator was off duty.

 

Want to find out more about the history of the Titanic and the moment it sunk? Click here for more information.

 

April 14 - The Human Genome Project is Completed

This Day in History: 14 April 2020

 

14 April 2003

 

17 years ago, today, The Human Genome Project was completed, with 99% of the human genome sequenced to an accuracy of 99.99%. The HGP was an inward voyage of discovery, carried out by an international team of researchers, aiming to sequence and map all of the genes, together known as the genome, of our species. This all began on 1 October 1990, and was completed on this day, thus giving us the ability to read nature's complex genetic blueprints that make up human beings. The researchers deciphered the gene in three key ways: determining the order of all the bases in the genome's DNA; making maps that show the locations of genes for key sections of our chromosomes; and creating linkage maps, through which inherited traits can be tracked over generations.

 

On this day, an accurate and complete human genome sequence was finished, which was made available to scientists and researchers two years ahead of the original schedule, and at a cost less than the original estimated budget. In addition to the finished sequence, to help researchers better understand the meaning of human genetics, the project took on more goals, such as developing new technologies to study whole genomes. The Human Genome Project helped to reveal that there are most likely around 20,500 human genes, and the ultimate product of the project has given the world a more detailed understanding of the human genes.

 

Want to find out more about the history of the Human Genome Project? Click here for more information.

 

April 13 - The Amritsar Massacre

This Day in History: 13 April 2020

 

13 April 1919

 

101 years ago, today, hundreds of unarmed demonstrators were massacred by British and Gurkha troops in Amritsar, India's holy Sikh city. At least 379 demonstrators were killed, as they met at the Jallianwala Bagh, a city park. Most of those killed in this horrific massacre were Indian nationalists, who had met to protest against the British government's forced conscription of Indian soldiers, as well as the heavy war tax imposed against the Indians. Prior to this, in a response to an increase in protests, Amritsar was placed under martial law, under the control of British Brigadier General Reginald Dyer. He banned all meetings and gatherings in the city, but nevertheless, on April 13, on the day of the Sikh Baisakhi festival, tens of thousands of people came to the city to attend the city's traditions.

 

Unaware of the recent ban on public assemblies, thousands of visitors joined together at Jallianwala Bagh, where a nationalist demonstration was being held. Dyer's troops surrounded the park, and without any form of warning opened fire, killing several hundred, and wounding more than a thousand. Dyer admitted that this attack was ordered for its 'moral effect' on the people of Amritsar. However, the fact that his troops were made to continue the massacre until all their artillery were exhausted seems to go against his statement. Subsequently, Dyer was removed from his post, but the massacre did stir nationalist feelings across the nation, having the largest effect on Mohandas Gandhi. After the Amritsar Massacre, Gandhi became convinced that India should accept nothing less than full independence, after previously striving for partial autonomy. In an attempt to gain this, Gandhi organised his first campaign of mass civil disobedience against Britain's oppression.

 

Want to find out more about the atrocity that was the Amritsar Massacre? Click here for more information.

 

April 12 - Galileo is Convicted of Heresy

This Day in History: 12 April 2020

 

12 April 1633

 

387 years ago, today, Father Vincenzo Maculani de Firenzuola begun the inquisition of Galileo Galilei. He was ordered to turn himself in to begin his trial for expressing the belief that the Earth revolves around the Sun, also known as the Copernican theory, which the Catholic Church deemed heretical. This was the second time that Galileo faced criticism for refusing the accept Church orthodoxy that the Earth was the centre of the universe. In 1616, he had been forbidden from holding such beliefs. The Church had decided that the idea of the Sun moving around the Earth was an absolute fact that could not be disputed, despite the fact that scientists had already discovered that the Earth was not the centre of the universe.

 

In his trial, Galileo's argument failed him. 2 months later, the Church spoke the order that Galileo had rendered himself suspected of heresy, due to his beliefs. Along with the order came the penalty that the book of Dialogues of Galileo Galilei would be banned, as well as the salutary penance of reciting once a week the Seven Penitential Psalms. He agreed to no longer teach the heresy, and subsequently spent the rest of his life under house arrest. Despite the conviction, it took more than 300 years for the Church to admit that Galileo was right, thus clearing his name of heresy.

 

Want to find out more about the trial of Galileo Galilei? Click here for more details, or for more about his life, click here.

April 11 - Buchenwald Concentration Camp is Liberated

This Day in History: 11 April 2020

 

11 April 1945

 

75 years ago, today, Buchenwald concentration camp was liberated by the American Third Army, near Weimar, Germany. This camp is judged today as being second only to Auschwitz in the horrors that were imposed on its prisoners. While American forces closed in on Buchenwald, Gestapo members at Weimar called the camp administration to announce that explosives were being sent to blow up any evidence of the camp, which included its prisoners. However, the Gestapo did not know that the camp administrators had already fled and left the camp, in fear of an attack from the Allies. Instead, an inmate answered the phone, informing the Gestapo that explosives would not be needed, as the camp had already been blown up. This was not true.

 

Buchenwald had held thousands of prisoners, mainly slave labourers. There were no gas chambers, but nevertheless, hundreds would die every month from disease, malnutrition, beatings or execution. Inmates would also receive medical experiments from doctors, testing the effects of viral infections and vaccines. At this camp was Ilse Koch, the wife of a camp commandant, known for her sadism, as she would often beat prisoners with a riding crop. She collected lampshades, book covers, and gloves made from the skin of camp victims. In contrast to Koch's barbarity, however, among those who were saved by the Americans was Elie Wiesel. Just over 40 years later, she would go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize of 1986.

 

Want to find out more about the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp? Click here for more information, or here for a video where veteran, Rick Carrier, recalls the liberation.

 

April 10 - US Table Tennis Team Visits China

This Day in History: 10 April 2020

 

10 April 1971

 

49 years ago, today, the United States table tennis team began a weeklong visit to communist China, at the invitation of their government. This was a well-publicised trip, part of China's attempt to strengthen their diplomatic relations with the US, beginning 'ping-pong diplomacy'. Diplomatic relations between the two nations had ended in 1949, when the US cut the ties to the new government that had taken power. Throughout the next couple of decades, the two remained enemies, and during the Korean War, their armies clashed. This occurred again during the 1960s, in the Vietnam War, as they supported opposing sides. However, later on, China's government began to revaluate its policy with the US.

 

Several factors sparked this change. Chinese officials hoped that closer relations might act as a useful counterweight in Chinese relations with the Soviet Union. There were concerns from the Chinese communists that the Soviets were deviating from the Marxist ideology, resulting in some border skirmishes in 1969. However, the Chinese desire for US trade was another factor, and the invitation to the US table tennis team was a friendly gesture that signified the Chinese hopes for easing tension. This plan worked, as in June 1972, US President Nixon made a historic visit to China, starting talks about re-establishing diplomatic relations. As well as this, the Chinese table tennis team also toured America, sparking a short craze for the sport.

 

Want to find out more about ping-pong diplomacy's role in dissolving the Cold War? Click here for more information.

 

April 9 - Baghdad Falls to the US

This Day in History: 9 April 2003

 

9 April 2003

 

17 years ago, today, Baghdad fell to United States forces, just three weeks into the invasion of Iraq. This ended the invasion but resulted in widespread looting. After a decade of political conflict between the US and Iraq, a multinational 'coalition of the willing' controversially invaded and occupied Iraq, which was then ruled by the harsh dictator, Saddam Hussein. Many reasons were put forward by George W. Bush for why the invasion was necessary. The explanation that Saddam's regime was building weapons of mass destruction was among the most controversial, but other justifications included Saddam's alleged support of al-Qaeda, a group that two years prior had committed the 9/11 attacks. However, after the invasion, no such weapons were found, and claims that Iraqi officials were working with al-Qaeda were found to be false.

 

Countries such as the UK and Australia joined the US in their invasion, which was intensely controversial. The controversy was heightened after the assertion by President Bush soon after the invasion that the coalition had 'ended major combat operations', in the infamous Mission Accomplished speech. For the next several years, Iraq would descend into violence as many insurgent groups grew in popularity. Although the invasion and occupation was contentious, and cost many lives, Iraq did have a form of democracy restored, and their first proper general elections were held two years later.

 

Want to find out more about Baghdad falling to US forces? Click here for more information, or here for more on the Iraq invasion.

 

April 8 - Death of Margaret Thatcher

This Day in History: 8 April 2020

 

8 April 2013

 

7 years ago, today, Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, died from a stroke, at age 87. Her term lasted from 1979 to 1990, making her the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20^th century. During her time in power, she privatised state-owned industries, led her country to victory in the Falklands War and acted as a close ally to US President Ronald Raegan, thus playing a key part in ending the Cold War. Thatcher was gifted with the nickname of 'The Iron Lady' by the public, as she championed conservative policies that revitalised Britain's economy. However, critics argue that these changes did hurt the nation's lower classes.

 

In 1992, after she had resigned as Prime Minister, she left the House of Commons, and was appointed to the House of Lords, receiving the title 'Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven'. She began to record her memoirs and give lectures around the world. Sadly, following a series of minor strokes in the early 2000s, Thatcher greatly stepped away from public view. After her death, on this day, more than 2,000 guests from all over the world attended her funeral, held at London's St. Paul's Cathedral. In 1965, this was the site of Prime Minister Winston Churchill's funeral. Despite this, several hundreds of people celebrated Thatcher's death on the streets, with cans of beer, pints of milk, and disco music.

 

Want to find out more about the life and legacy of Margaret Thatcher? Click here for more information. Click here for more details on the celebrations that took place after her death.

 

April 7 - Eisenhower Proposes the 'Domino Theory'

This Day in History: 7 April 2020

 

7 April 1954

 

66 years ago, today, United States President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, delivered his speech during the Cold War, suggesting the creation of a 'domino' effect in Southeast Asia, relating to the fall of French Indochina to the communists. This 'domino theory' influenced many decisions taken in the US while thinking about Vietnam for many years. Earlier on in the year, it was clear to many that the French were failing to re-establish control in Vietnam, as they had lost it during World War Two. US officials were worried that a communist victory would create a new regime, controlling all or parts of Vietnam. In response to this, to gain US support for the French, Eisenhower gave a press conference, on this day.

 

The speech consisted largely of the President explaining the significance of Vietnam to the United States, firstly stating its economic importance, but also noting the possibility of their societies being forced under a dictatorship. Finally, Eisenhower discussed the domino effect, explaining that "you have a row of dominoes set up, you knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is a certainty that it will go over very quickly". However, these words lacked any direct and immediate impact, and a month later, the communists defeated Dian Bien Phu. An agreement was also reached that left communist forces in control of northern Vietnam. Despite this, Eisenhower's theory laid the basis for US involvement in Vietnam. Future Presidents, such as John F. Kennedy, also used this to justify assistance for the non-communist South Vietnam, and ultimately, the deploying of US armed forces in Vietnam. 

 

Want to find out more about Eisenhower's proposed 'domino theory'? Click here for more information.

 

April 6 - The Mormon Church is Established

This Day in History: 6 April 2020

 

6 April 1830

 

190 years ago, today, the Mormon Church, also known as The Church of Christ, was established by Joseph Smith. He had claimed 7 years prior that he had been visited by a Christian angel, named Moroni, who spoke to him of an ancient Hebrew text, apparently lost for 1,500 years. This text had also supposedly been engraved in gold plating by a Native American historian, which described the story of the Israelites living in America in ancient times. For the next few years, Smith created an English translation of this text, and in 1830, 'The Book of Mormon' was published.

 

This new religion quickly gained followers, as Smith also began to set up Mormon communities in states such as Missouri and Illinois. Despite this, the new denomination was heavily criticised for its unorthodox practises, such as polygamy. On June 27, 1844, Smith and his brother were murdered in jail by anti-Mormons. Nevertheless, Smith's successor, Brigham Young, led persecuted Mormons from Illinois along the western wagon trials in search of religious and political freedom. In 1847, this group reached the Great Salt Lake, and the pioneers began to settle here, waiting for more Mormon migrants who would follow.

 

Want to find out more about the history of Mormonism? Click here to find out more.

 

April 5 - Death of Kurt Cobain

This Day in History: 5 April 2020

 

5 April 1994

 

26 years ago, today, rock icon Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, died by suicide. His body was found inside his home three days later by Gary Smith, an electrician, who was installing a security system. His downward spiral had begun to take shape the previous month, in Italy, as he went into a coma and almost died after mixing champagne with drugs. Despite this, the public were led to believe the coma was caused by an accidental heroin overdose, as Cobain was known for his problems with the drug.

 

The police had also been called before to Cobain and his wife, Courtney Love's home in Seattle when he again threatened to kill himself. They confiscated four guns from his possession, even though Cobain had previously stated in an interview that he did not believe in guns. At the end of March, he was still ignoring his friends' and families' concerns, but did check into a rehabilitation clinic in Los Angeles, even though he did walk away on March 30. Love could not locate him for the next few days, and a private detective was hired. However, in the meantime, Cobain had convinced a friend to buy him a gun, and returned home, having ingested Valium and heroin. Just over a month after Nirvana's last concert, Kurt Cobain committed suicide by gunshot.

 

Want to find out more about Kurt Cobain's death? Click here for more information.

 

April 4 - Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

This Day in History: 4 April 2020

 

4 April 1968

 

52 years ago, today, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at his hotel in Tennessee, by a single shot fired by James Earl Ray from over 200 feet away, at a nearby motel. King unfortunately died an hour later at St. Joseph's Hospital, but his death sparked a wave of rioting in the black communities of several cities in the United States. Ray had escaped from a Missouri prison almost a year earlier, and so had used the aliases Eric Galt and John Willard to register into motels. With his Remington rifle, he shot King from a bathroom window, where King was standing on the balcony of his hotel.

 

Ray fled to Canada, and stayed there for a month, as his name was placed on the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List. He travelled to London after buying a passport with a fake name and moved from hotel to hotel until authorities caught him, on June 8, at Heathrow Airport. Ray had no known record of political hatred, although he had been convicted for past small-time robberies, so many suspect he was paid to kill King, as he clearly had significant resources during the time between his capture and assassination. Still, Ray pleaded guilty before his scheduled trial, and was given a sentence of 99 years in prison, but died on April 23, 1998, serving only 29 years of his sentence.

 

Want to find out more about the death of Martin Luther King Jr.? Click here for more information.

 

April 3 - Marshall Plan Enacted

This Day in History: 3 April 2020

 

3 April 1948

 

72 years ago, today, President Harry S. Truman enacted the European Recovery Program, also known as the Marshall Plan, which helped the nations of Europe recover and rebuild due to the devastating aftermath of World War Two. It aimed to stabilise Europe's economy, but from a political point of view, it turned European nations away from the temptation of communism, in response to the spread of Soviet control in Eastern Europe. The continent was the centre of an ideological battle between the US and the Soviet Union, and this programme of Truman's helped increase the tension between the two superpowers.

 

President Truman was concerned with how, due to the war, many countries were left with no money or jobs, so communism was looking attractive to these societies, especially in France and Italy. Those in Eastern Europe had also been liberated by the Soviets from the Nazis in the war, and some even already had communist governments, like Poland and Romania. Truman feared this would happen in other countries, particularly in Greece and Turkey, as they were too poor to resist communist revolutions. So, to combat this, Truman gave $13 million to help rebuild Europe, at the same time hoping to stop communism's appeal by giving people a place in capitalism. 16 countries, including Britain and France accepted the money, but the Soviet Union criticised the programme as an attack on communism.

 

Want to find out more about the Marshall Plan? Click here for more information, or click here for a video explaining the programme. 

 

April 2 - Sverdlovsk Anthrax Incident

This Day in History: 2 April 2020

 

2 April 1979

 

41 years ago, today, the world's first anthrax epidemic begun in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Unfortunately, by the time it ended 6 weeks later, 62 people lost their lives, and another 32 gained the serious illness. The town is now known as Sverdlovsk, but during the Soviet times, it was Ekaterinburg, and it suffered livestock losses due to the disease. Initially, when the first cases were reported, the Soviet government announced that the cause of the illness was tainted meat that the victims has eaten. Since the town was known for its biological weapons plant, most of the world was sceptical of the Soviet's explanation.

 

It was not until 1992 that the epidemic was finally explained. Workers at the weapons plant had failed to replace a crucial filter, which caused the release of anthrax spores. The wind carried these to a farming area, thus infecting livestock and people. Anthrax is a type of bacteria that can enter the body through many routes and is most deadly when inhaled. The production of toxic molecules is prompted, that destroy essential proteins in the body's cells, most commonly in the lymph nodes. In the United States, in 2001, anthrax spores were used as a weapon of terror, as they were mailed to media organisations and members of the US Senate, causing 5 deaths and another 13 infected.

 

Want to find out more about the Sverdlovsk anthrax leak? Click here for more information.

 

April 1 - April Fool's Day

This Day in History: 1 April 1700

 

1 April 2020

 

320 years ago, today, English pranksters begun to popularise the annual tradition of April Fool's Day, as they played practical jokes on one another. Although this date has been celebrated for several years by many cultures, its exact origins are a mystery. 1582 is a speculated date, which was when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. People were slow to get this news or had failed to recognise the new date of new year's, and so continued to celebrate it the event during the last week of March, through April 1, causing it to become the date of jokes and hoaxes.

 

The pranks on this date included having paper fish placed on people's backs, which was referred to as 'poisson d'avril', meaning the April fish. This was also said to symbolise a young, easily hooked fish, or a gullible person. The tradition spread throughout Britain in the 18^th century, and in Scotland, the tradition became a two-day event. On the first day, they would start with 'hunting the gowk', meaning people were sent on misleading errands. Tailie Day would follow, involving pranks played on people's lower reign, such as fake tails being pinned or the popular 'kick me' signs.

 

Want to find out more about April Fool's Day and its history? Click here for more information.