Tag: this day in history

30 newsworthy historical anniversaries in April 2021

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for “On This Day in History” features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re easy to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

Here are 30 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in April 2021 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2021. You’ll find hundreds more in the book. The 2022 edition is also available.

1 Apr 2001 – 20 years ago
Same-sex marriage was legalised in the Netherlands (the first country to do so) and the first four same-sex marriage ceremonies took place.

2 Apr 1951 – 70 years ago
General Dwight D. Eisenhower (later US President) became NATO’s first Supreme Allied Commander. He assumed command of all Allied forces in the Western Mediterranean and Europe.

3 Apr 1721 – 300 years ago
Robert Walpole became the first British Prime Minister.

4 Apr 1821 – 200 years ago
Birth of Linus Yale, Jr., American engineer and businessman. Inventor of the cylinder lock. Co-founder of the lock manufacturing company Yale.

5 Apr 1941 – 80 years ago
Death of Sir Nigel Gresley, Scottish steam locomotive engineer. Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) (1923–41). He designed some of Britain’s fastest and most famous steam locomotives, including the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard.

6 to 15 Apr 1896 – 125 years ago
The first modern Summer Olympic Games were held, in Athens, Greece. The original Olympics were banned by the Roman Emperor Theodosius (I or II) in either 393 or 426 AD.

7 Apr 2001 – 20 years ago
NASA launched its Mars Odyssey spacecraft to search for evidence of water and volcanic activity on Mars. It went into orbit around Mars on 24th October and remains operational (though it will run out of propellant in 2025). It is the longest-surviving continually active spacecraft orbiting another planet. It successfully mapped the distribution of water below the surface and discovered a vast amount of ice below the equatorial regions.

8 Apr 1946 – 75 years ago
Électricité de France (EDF), the world’s largest utility company, was founded when around 1,700 French energy producers, transporters and distributors were nationalised.

9 Apr 1821 – 200 years ago
Birth of Charles Baudelaire, French poet, essayist, art critic, philosopher, and translator of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories into French.

10 Apr 1941 – 80 years ago
World War II: Germany and Italy established the independent state of Croatia in occupied Yugoslavia.

11 Apr 1921 – 100 years ago
The Emirate of Transjordan (now Jordan) was created.

12 Apr 1961 – 60 years ago
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space and the first to orbit the Earth.

13 Apr 1771 – 250 years ago
Birth of Richard Trevithick, British mining engineer and inventor of the first steam locomotive.

14 Apr 1931 – 90 years ago
The first edition of The Highway Code was published in the UK.

15 Apr 1991 – 30 years ago
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development opened in London to assist economic development in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

16 Apr 1971 – 50 years ago
British rock band the Rolling Stones released their hit song Brown Sugar.

17 Apr 1961 – 60 years ago
Bay of Pigs invasion, Cuba. Approximately 1,500 Cuban exiles who opposed Fidel Castro’s regime attempted an invasion, financed and directed by the USA. US President John F. Kennedy later accepted sole responsibility for the failed invasion.

18 Apr 1951 – 70 years ago
The European Coal and Steel Community was established when Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany signed the Treaty of Paris. The organisation eventually became the European Union.

19 Apr 1971 – 50 years ago
The Soviet Union launched Salyut 1, the world’s first space station.

20 Apr 1971 – 50 years ago
National Public Radio (NPR) began broadcasting in the USA.

21 Apr 1946 – 75 years ago
Death of John Maynard Keynes, British economist. The most influential economist of the 20th century, whose ideas formed the basis of Keynesian economics.

22 Apr 1821 – 200 years ago
Death of John Crome, (“Old Crome”), British landscape artist.

23 Apr 1896 – 125 years ago
Thomas Edison began public showings of his films at Koster and Bial’s Music Hall in New York City, USA, using his Vitascope system.

24 Apr 1996 – 25 years ago
The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act was signed into law in the USA.

25 Apr 1961 – 60 years ago
American engineer Robert Noyce was granted a US patent for the integrated circuit.

26 Apr 1941 – 80 years ago
The first organ was played in a Major League Baseball stadium when the Chicago Cubs brought one into Wrigley Field as a one-day gimmick. It proved popular, and the tradition soon became established.

27 Apr 1521 – 500 years ago
Death of Ferdinand Magellan, Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the Earth. (Killed by natives in the Philippines, aged 41.)

28 Apr 2001 – 20 years ago
American businessman Dennis Tito became the world’s first space tourist. He travelled on a Russian rocket for a seven-day visit to the International Space Station, for which he reportedly paid $20 million (£12.5 million).

29 Apr 1946 – 75 years ago
The International Military Tribunal for the Far East was convened to try Japanese war criminals following the end of WWII. Those indicted included former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and 28 other leaders.

30 Apr 1991 – 30 years ago
Ramiz Alia became the first President of Albania. He had been the Communist Leader of Albania since 1985 and was re-elected in the country’s first democratic election since WWII.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2021. The 2022 edition is also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

30 newsworthy historical anniversaries in April 2021 (US Edition)

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for “On This Day in History” features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, and editors, producers and publishers love them. They’re really easy to research, and you can turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, documentaries, movies, novels, TV/radio/theater shows, and more.

Here are 30 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in April 2021 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2021. You’ll find hundreds more in the book. The 2022 edition is also available.

Apr 1, 2001 – 20 years ago
Same-sex marriage was legalized in the Netherlands (the first country to do so) and the first four same-sex marriage ceremonies took place.

Apr 2, 1951 – 70 years ago
General Dwight D. Eisenhower (later U.S. President) became NATO’s first Supreme Allied Commander. He assumed command of all Allied forces in the Western Mediterranean and Europe.

Apr 3, 1721 – 300 years ago
Robert Walpole became the first British Prime Minister.

Apr 4, 1821 – 200 years ago
Birth of Linus Yale, Jr., American engineer and businessman. Inventor of the cylinder lock. Co-founder of the lock manufacturing company Yale.

Apr 5, 1941 – 80 years ago
Death of Sir Nigel Gresley, Scottish steam locomotive engineer. Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) (1923–41). He designed some of Britain’s fastest and most famous steam locomotives, including the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard.

Apr 6 to 15, 1896 – 125 years ago
The first modern Summer Olympic Games were held, in Athens, Greece. The original Olympics were banned by the Roman Emperor Theodosius (I or II) in either 393 or 426 AD.

Apr 7, 2001 – 20 years ago
NASA launched its Mars Odyssey spacecraft to search for evidence of water and volcanic activity on Mars. It went into orbit around Mars on October 24th and remains operational (though it will run out of propellant in 2025). It is the longest-surviving continually active spacecraft orbiting another planet. It successfully mapped the distribution of water below the surface and discovered a vast amount of ice below the equatorial regions.

Apr 8, 1946 – 75 years ago
Électricité de France (EDF), the world’s largest utility company, was founded when around 1,700 French energy producers, transporters and distributors were nationalized.

Apr 9, 1821 – 200 years ago
Birth of Charles Baudelaire, French poet, essayist, art critic, philosopher, and translator of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories into French.

Apr 10, 1941 – 80 years ago
World War II: Germany and Italy established the independent state of Croatia in occupied Yugoslavia.

Apr 11, 1921 – 100 years ago
The Emirate of Transjordan (now Jordan) was created.

Apr 12, 1961 – 60 years ago
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space and the first to orbit the Earth.

Apr 13, 1771 – 250 years ago
Birth of Richard Trevithick, British mining engineer and inventor of the first steam locomotive.

Apr 14, 1931 – 90 years ago
The first edition of The Highway Code was published in the UK.

Apr 15, 1991 – 30 years ago
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development opened in London to assist economic development in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Apr 16, 1971 – 50 years ago
British rock band the Rolling Stones released their hit song Brown Sugar.

Apr 17, 1961 – 60 years ago
Bay of Pigs invasion, Cuba. Approximately 1,500 Cuban exiles who opposed Fidel Castro’s regime attempted an invasion, financed and directed by the USA. U.S. President John F. Kennedy later accepted sole responsibility for the failed invasion.

Apr 18, 1951 – 70 years ago
The European Coal and Steel Community was established when Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany signed the Treaty of Paris. The organization eventually became the European Union.

Apr 19, 1971 – 50 years ago
The Soviet Union launched Salyut 1, the world’s first space station.

Apr 20, 1971 – 50 years ago
National Public Radio (NPR) began broadcasting in the USA.

Apr 21, 1946 – 75 years ago
Death of John Maynard Keynes, British economist. The most influential economist of the 20th century, whose ideas formed the basis of Keynesian economics.

Apr 22, 1821 – 200 years ago
Death of John Crome, (“Old Crome”), British landscape artist.

Apr 23, 1896 – 125 years ago
Thomas Edison began public showings of his films at Koster and Bial’s Music Hall in New York City, USA, using his Vitascope system.

Apr 24, 1996 – 25 years ago
The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act was signed into law in the USA.

Apr 25, 1961 – 60 years ago
American engineer Robert Noyce was granted a U.S. patent for the integrated circuit.

Apr 26, 1941 – 80 years ago
The first organ was played in a Major League Baseball stadium when the Chicago Cubs brought one into Wrigley Field as a one-day gimmick. It proved popular, and the tradition soon became established.

Apr 27, 1521 – 500 years ago
Death of Ferdinand Magellan, Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the Earth. (Killed by natives in the Philippines, aged 41.)

Apr 28, 2001 – 20 years ago
American businessman Dennis Tito became the world’s first space tourist. He travelled on a Russian rocket for a seven-day visit to the International Space Station, for which he reportedly paid $20 million.

Apr 29, 1946 – 75 years ago
The International Military Tribunal for the Far East was convened to try Japanese war criminals following the end of WWII. Those indicted included former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and 28 other leaders.

Apr 30, 1991 – 30 years ago
Ramiz Alia became the first President of Albania. He had been the Communist Leader of Albania since 1985 and was re-elected in the country’s first democratic election since WWII.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2021. The 2022 edition is also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

31 newsworthy historical anniversaries in March 2021 (U.S. Edition)

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for “On This Day in History” features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re easy to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theater shows, and more.

Here are 31 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in March 2021 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2021. You’ll find hundreds more in the book. The 2022 edition is also available.

Mar 1, 1941 – 80 years ago
The fictional superhero Captain America made his first appearance, in Captain America Comics #1. (Issue dated March 1941, on sale from December 20th 1940.)

Mar 2, 1991 – 30 years ago
Gulf War – the Battle of Rumaila (Iraq). Controversial U.S. victory. U.S. forces practically annihilated a five-mile column of Iraqi forces who were withdrawing from battle two days after the war. (The U.S. forces were later exonerated as the Iraqis had opened fire on a U.S. patrol that had accidentally wandered into their path.)

Mar 3, 1991 – 30 years ago
American construction worker Rodney King was beaten by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department following a car chase. The beating was captured on amateur video. When the four officers involved were acquitted at the end of a trial in April 1992, it triggered the Los Angeles riots in which 53 people were killed and around $1 billion worth of damage was caused. (In a federal trial held in 1993, two of the officers were convicted and sentenced to 32 months in prison.)

Mar 4, 1921 – 100 years ago
Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, USA was designated a national park. The area, previously known as Hot Springs Reservation, was established in 1832.

Mar 5, 1946 – 75 years ago
Winston Churchill gave his famous “Iron Curtain” speech in Fulton, Missouri, USA. He used the term to describe the separation between Soviet and Western countries.

Mar 6, 1961 – 60 years ago
Death of George Formby, the “ukulele king,” British comedian, singer and actor. Best known for his comic songs including When I’m Cleaning Windows.

Mar 7, 1996 – 25 years ago
The first democratically elected Palestinian Parliament (the Palestinian Legislative Council) was inaugurated.

Mar 8, 1896 – 125 years ago
Volunteers of America was founded. The faith-based charity provides affordable housing and other assistance to people in need in the USA.

Mar 9, 1946 – 75 years ago
Burnden Park football stadium disaster, Bolton, UK. Thirty-three people were killed and hundreds injured in a crush during a match between Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City. The crush was caused by overcrowding, and led to a control on crowd sizes being introduced.

Mar 10, 2006 – 15 years ago
NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft reached Mars and began orbiting it.

Mar 11, 1941 – 80 years ago
World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Lend–Lease Act into law. This allowed the USA to support countries it considered important to its defense (including Britain, France, China, the Soviet Union and other Allied nations) without selling them arms on credit, which would have violated the Neutrality Act.

Mar 12, 1971 – 50 years ago
The science fiction thriller movie The Andromeda Strain was released in the USA. It was based on Michael Crichton’s 1969 novel of the same name.

Mar 13, 1996 – 25 years ago
Dunblane Massacre, Scotland. A gunman killed 16 children and a teacher at a primary school, and wounded several others, before taking his own life.

Mar 14, 1991 – 30 years ago
The convictions of the Birmingham Six were quashed by Britain’s Court of Appeal and they were released from prison after 16 years. They had been convicted of carrying out pub bombings in Birmingham in 1974, but the court ruled their convictions were unsafe and unsatisfactory. They were each awarded compensation of up to £1.2 million ($1.9 million).

Mar 15, 1951 – 70 years ago
Dennis the Menace first appeared in the British children’s comic The Beano. (Issue dated March 17th, it went on sale on the 15th.)

Mar 16, 1521 – 500 years ago
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition became the first Europeans to reach the Philippines. Magellan was killed by natives in April.

Mar 17, 1921 – 100 years ago
Dr. Marie Stopes opened the Mothers’ Clinic in London. It was the first birth control clinic in the UK.

Mar 18 to May 28, 1871 – 150 years ago
The Paris Commune was established in France. The group of radical socialists and revolutionaries governed Paris until their revolt was violently suppressed by French Government forces during “Bloody Week” (21st to 28th May).

Mar 19, 1921 – 100 years ago
The silent movie The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was released in the USA. (Germany: February 26, 1920.) It became the most influential movie of the German Expressionist movement.

Mar 20, 1996 – 25 years ago
The British Government reported that Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans was linked to BSE (mad cow disease) and could be transmitted to humans who ate infected beef. On March 25th the European Union banned the export of British beef (until 2006).

Mar 21, 1961 – 60 years ago
British rock band The Beatles gave their first performance at The Cavern Club in Liverpool.

Mar 22, 1621 – 400 years ago
The Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony (in present-day Massachusetts, USA) signed the first treaty with Native Americans: the Pilgrim-Wampanoag peace treaty.

Mar 23, 1956 – 65 years ago
Pakistan became the world’s first Islamic Republic.

Mar 24, 1721 – 300 years ago
Johann Sebastian Bach dedicated six of his concertos to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt. They are now commonly known as the Brandenburg Concertos.

Mar 25, 421 – 1600 years ago
The city of Venice, Italy was officially founded when its first church was dedicated at noon.

Mar 26, 1981 – 40 years ago
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was launched in Britain.

Mar 27, 1871 – 150 years ago
The first international rugby union football match was held in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scotland beat England 1-0.

Mar 28, 1941 – 80 years ago
Death of Virginia Woolf, influential British novelist (To the Lighthouse, Mrs. Dalloway, Orlando, A Room of One’s Own). One of the leading modernist writers of the 20th century. (Suicide, aged 59.)

Mar 29, 1871 – 150 years ago
The Royal Albert Hall in London was officially opened by Queen Victoria.

Mar 30, 1981 – 40 years ago 
U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest and seriously injured in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr in Washington, D.C.

Mar 31, 1921 – 100 years ago
The Royal Australian Air Force was formed.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2021. The 2022 edition is also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

31 newsworthy historical anniversaries in March 2021

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for “On This Day in History” features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re easy to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

Here are 31 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in March 2021 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2021. You’ll find hundreds more in the book. The 2022 edition is also available.

1 Mar 1941 – 80 years ago
The fictional superhero Captain America made his first appearance, in Captain America Comics #1. (Issue dated March 1941, on sale from 20th December 1940.)

2 Mar 1991 – 30 years ago
Gulf War – the Battle of Rumaila (Iraq). Controversial U.S. victory. U.S. forces practically annihilated a 5-mile column of Iraqi forces who were withdrawing from battle two days after the war. (The U.S. forces were later exonerated as the Iraqis had opened fire on a U.S. patrol that had accidentally wandered into their path.)

3 Mar 1991 – 30 years ago
American construction worker Rodney King was beaten by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department following a car chase. The beating was captured on amateur video. When the four officers involved were acquitted at the end of a trial in April 1992, it triggered the Los Angeles riots in which 53 people were killed and around $1 billion worth of damage was caused. (In a federal trial held in 1993, two of the officers were convicted and sentenced to 32 months in prison.)

4 Mar 1921 – 100 years ago
Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, USA was designated a national park. The area, previously known as Hot Springs Reservation, was established in 1832.

5 Mar 1946 – 75 years ago
Winston Churchill gave his famous “Iron Curtain” speech in Fulton, Missouri, USA. He used the term to describe the separation between Soviet and Western countries.

6 Mar 1961 – 60 years ago
Death of George Formby, the “ukulele king”, British comedian, singer and actor. Best known for his comic songs including When I’m Cleaning Windows.

7 Mar 1996 – 25 years ago
The first democratically elected Palestinian Parliament (the Palestinian Legislative Council) was inaugurated.

8 Mar 1896 – 125 years ago
Volunteers of America was founded. The faith-based charity provides affordable housing and other assistance to people in need in the USA.

9 Mar 1946 – 75 years ago
Burnden Park football stadium disaster, Bolton, UK. Thirty-three people were killed and hundreds injured in a crush during a match between Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City. The crush was caused by overcrowding, and led to a control on crowd sizes being introduced.

10 Mar 2006 – 15 years ago
NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft reached Mars and began orbiting it.

11 Mar 1941 – 80 years ago
World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Lend–Lease Act into law. This allowed the USA to support countries it considered important to its defence (including Britain, France, China, the Soviet Union and other Allied nations) without selling them arms on credit, which would have violated the Neutrality Act.

12 Mar 1971 – 50 years ago
The science fiction thriller film The Andromeda Strain was released in the USA. It was based on Michael Crichton’s 1969 novel of the same name.
(UK première: 1st July.)

13 Mar 1996 – 25 years ago
Dunblane Massacre, Scotland. A gunman killed 16 children and a teacher at a primary school, and wounded several others, before taking his own life.

14 Mar 1991 – 30 years ago
The convictions of the Birmingham Six were quashed by Britain’s Court of Appeal and they were released from prison after 16 years. They had been convicted of carrying out pub bombings in Birmingham in 1974, but the court ruled their convictions were unsafe and unsatisfactory. They were each awarded compensation of up to £1.2 million ($1.9 million).

15 Mar 1951 – 70 years ago
Dennis the Menace first appeared in the British children’s comic The Beano. (Issue dated 17th March, it went on sale on the 15th.)

16 Mar 1521 – 500 years ago
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition became the first Europeans to reach the Philippines. Magellan was killed by natives in April.

17 Mar 1921 – 100 years ago
Dr Marie Stopes opened the Mothers’ Clinic in London. It was the first birth control clinic in the UK.

18 Mar to 28 May 1871 – 150 years ago
The Paris Commune was established in France. The group of radical socialists and revolutionaries governed Paris until their revolt was violently suppressed by French Government forces during “Bloody Week” (21st to 28th May).

19 Mar 1921 – 100 years ago
The silent film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was released in the USA. (Germany: 26th February 1920.) It became the most influential film of the German Expressionist movement.

20 Mar 1996 – 25 years ago
The British Government reported that Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans was linked to BSE (mad cow disease) and could be transmitted to humans who ate infected beef. On 25th March the European Union banned the export of British beef (until 2006).

21 Mar 1961 – 60 years ago
British rock band The Beatles gave their first performance at The Cavern Club in Liverpool.

22 Mar 1621 – 400 years ago
The Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony (in present-day Massachusetts, USA) signed the first treaty with Native Americans: the Pilgrim-Wampanoag peace treaty.

23 Mar 1956 – 65 years ago
Pakistan became the world’s first Islamic Republic.

24 Mar 1721 – 300 years ago
Johann Sebastian Bach dedicated six of his concertos to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt. They are now commonly known as the Brandenburg Concertos.

25 Mar 421 – 1600 years ago
The city of Venice, Italy was officially founded when its first church was dedicated at noon.

26 Mar 1981 – 40 years ago
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was launched in Britain.

27 Mar 1871 – 150 years ago
The first international rugby union football match was held in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scotland beat England 1-0.

28 Mar 1941 – 80 years ago
Death of Virginia Woolf, influential British novelist (To the Lighthouse, Mrs. Dalloway, Orlando, A Room of One’s Own). One of the leading modernist writers of the 20th century. (Suicide, aged 59.)

29 Mar 1871 – 150 years ago
The Royal Albert Hall in London was officially opened by Queen Victoria.

30 Mar 1981 – 40 years ago 
U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest and seriously injured in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr. in Washington, D.C.

31 Mar 1921 – 100 years ago
The Royal Australian Air Force was formed.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2021. The 2022 edition is also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

29 newsworthy historical anniversaries in February 2021

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for “On This Day in History” features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re easy to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

Here are 29 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in February 2021 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2021. You’ll find hundreds more in the book. The 2022 edition is also available.

1 Feb 1896 – 125 years ago
The première of Giacomo Puccini’s opera La bohème, in Turin, Italy.

2 Feb 1946 – 75 years ago
Trygve Lie of Norway became the first Secretary-General of the United Nations.

3 Feb 1971 – 50 years ago
American police officer Frank Serpico was shot and wounded during a drugs bust in Brooklyn, New York City. As a plain clothes officer he had uncovered widespread corruption in the New York Police Department (NYPD) and some believe the shooting was an attempt by NYPD officers to have him murdered. After recovering from his injuries he testified before the Knapp Commission which had been appointed to investigate corruption in the NYPD. His story is told in the 1973 film Serpico.

4 Feb 1941 – 80 years ago
The United Service Organization (USO) was created to provide social, welfare, recreational services and entertainment for members of the US armed forces and their families.

5 Feb 1996 – 25 years ago
The first genetically modified food went on sale in the UK: tomato puree made from tomatoes that had had the “rotting gene” removed. (The product was withdrawn in 1999 following strong opposition.)

6 Feb 1951 – 70 years ago
Woodbridge train derailment, New Jersey, USA. 86 people were killed and more than 500 injured. It was one of the worst rail disasters in US history.

7 Feb 1991 – 30 years ago
IRA mortar attack on 10 Downing Street, London. 3 shells were fired from a parked van while British Prime Minister John Major was chairing a cabinet meeting about the Gulf War. No one was injured.

8 Feb 1971 – 50 years ago
NASDAQ, the first electronic stock exchange, began trading.

9 Feb 1996 – 25 years ago
An IRA bomb exploded in London’s Docklands, killing 2 people and causing massive damage.

10 Feb 1846 – 175 years ago
Following repeated attacks, the Mormons began a long exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois to what is now Salt Lake City, Utah. The first group of pioneers set off on this date, with the main exodus beginning in April 1947. The first group reached the Great Salt Lake in July 1847 and began establishing a settlement.

11 Feb 1946 – 75 years ago
The Revised Standard Version of the New Testament was published. It was the first major English-language update of the Bible since the King James version was published in 1611.

12 Feb 1971 – 50 years ago
Death of James Cash Penney, American businessman who founded the J. C. Penney chain of department stores.

13 Feb 1931 – 90 years ago
New Delhi became the capital of India, replacing Kolkata.

14 Feb 1946 – 75 years ago
The Bank of England was nationalised.

15 Feb 1946 – 75 years ago
ENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, was dedicated at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.

16 Feb 1971 – 50 years ago
U.S. President Richard Nixon had a secret taping system installed in the Oval Office of the White House. The system was later expanded to other rooms and Camp David. The existence of the tapes was revealed during the Watergate Scandal of 1973-74.

17 Feb 1621 – 400 years ago
Myles Standish was elected as the first commander of the Plymouth Colony militia in North America.

18 Feb 1896 – 125 years ago
Birth of André Breton, French writer and poet. Leader of the Surrealist movement.

19 Feb 2001 – 20 years ago
The first case of foot-and-mouth disease in the 2001 UK outbreak was detected at an abattoir in Essex. The EU subsequently banned all British milk, meat and livestock exports.

20 Feb 1961 – 60 years ago
Death of Percy Grainger, Australian-born American composer, pianist and conductor.

21 Feb 1821 – 200 years ago
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy was founded in Pennsylvania. It was the first pharmacy college in the USA. It is now part of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

22 Feb 1821 – 200 years ago
The Adams-Onís Treaty (also known as the Florida Purchase Treaty) came into effect. Spain ceded Florida to the USA and the border between the USA and Mexico was established, settling a dispute.

23 Feb 1821 – 200 years ago
Death of John Keats, British poet. (Tuberculosis, aged 25.)

24 Feb 1871 – 150 years ago
British naturalist Charles Darwin’s book The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex was published.

25 Feb 1956 – 65 years ago
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gave an infamous speech On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences in which he condemned and denounced former leader Joseph Stalin as a brutal despot. This led to the de-Stalinisation of the Soviet Union.

26 Feb 1896 – 125 years ago
French scientist Henri Becquerel unknowingly discovered radioactivity while investigating the phosphorescent rays of uranium and potassium crystals. He was jointly awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Pierre and Marie Curie who carried out further research. The SI unit for radioactivity, the becquerel, is named in his honour.

27 Feb 1996 – 25 years ago
The Pokémon media franchise was launched by Japanese video game designer Satoshi Tajiri.

28 Feb 1991 – 30 years ago
The Gulf War ended at midnight when a ceasefire came into effect.

29 Feb 1996 – 25 years ago
A court ruled that the British actress Joan Collins was entitled to keep a $1.3 million advance from publishers Random House, plus a further $1.3 million for delivering her manuscripts on schedule. Random House had claimed that her two novels were unpublishable and demanded their money back.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2021. The 2022 edition is also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

29 newsworthy historical anniversaries in February 2021 (U.S. Edition)

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for “On This Day in History” features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re easy to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theater shows, and more.

Here are 29 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in February 2021 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2021. You’ll find hundreds more in the book. The 2022 edition is also available.

Feb 1, 1896 – 125 years ago
The premiere of Giacomo Puccini’s opera La bohème, in Turin, Italy.

Feb 2, 1946 – 75 years ago
Trygve Lie of Norway became the first Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Feb 3, 1971 – 50 years ago
American police officer Frank Serpico was shot and wounded during a drugs bust in Brooklyn, New York City. As a plain clothes officer he had uncovered widespread corruption in the New York Police Department (NYPD) and some believe the shooting was an attempt by NYPD officers to have him murdered. After recovering from his injuries he testified before the Knapp Commission, which had been appointed to investigate corruption in the NYPD. His story is told in the 1973 movie Serpico.

Feb 4, 1941 – 80 years ago
The United Service Organization (USO) was created to provide social, welfare, recreational services and entertainment for members of the U.S. armed forces and their families.

Feb 5, 1996 – 25 years ago
The first genetically modified (GMO) food went on sale in the UK: tomato puree made from tomatoes that had had the “rotting gene” removed. (The product was withdrawn in 1999 following strong opposition.)

Feb 6, 1951 – 70 years ago
Woodbridge train derailment, New Jersey, USA. 86 people were killed and more than 500 injured. It was one of the worst rail disasters in U.S. history.

Feb 7, 1991 – 30 years ago
IRA mortar attack on 10 Downing Street, London. 3 shells were fired from a parked van while British Prime Minister John Major was chairing a cabinet meeting about the Gulf War. No one was injured.

Feb 8, 1971 – 50 years ago
NASDAQ, the first electronic stock exchange, began trading.

Feb 9, 1996 – 25 years ago
An IRA bomb exploded in London’s Docklands, killing 2 people and causing massive damage.

Feb 10, 1846 – 175 years ago
Following repeated attacks, the Mormons began a long exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois to what is now Salt Lake City, Utah. The first group of pioneers set off on this date, with the main exodus beginning in April 1947. The first group reached the Great Salt Lake in July 1847 and began establishing a settlement.

Feb 11, 1946 – 75 years ago
The Revised Standard Version of the New Testament was published. It was the first major English-language update of the Bible since the King James version was published in 1611.

Feb 12, 1971 – 50 years ago
Death of James Cash Penney, American businessman who founded the J. C. Penney chain of department stores.

Feb 13, 1931 – 90 years ago
New Delhi became the capital of India, replacing Kolkata.

Feb 14, 1946 – 75 years ago
The Bank of England was nationalized.

Feb 15, 1946 – 75 years ago
ENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, was dedicated at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Feb 16, 1971 – 50 years ago
U.S. President Richard Nixon had a secret taping system installed in the Oval Office of the White House. The system was later expanded to other rooms and Camp David. The existence of the tapes was revealed during the Watergate Scandal of 1973 – 74.

Feb 17, 1621 – 400 years ago
Myles Standish was elected as the first commander of the Plymouth Colony militia in North America.

Feb 18, 1896 – 125 years ago
Birth of André Breton, French writer and poet. Leader of the Surrealist movement.

Feb 19, 2001 – 20 years ago
The first case of foot-and-mouth disease in the 2001 UK outbreak was detected at an abattoir in Essex. The European Union (EU) subsequently banned all British milk, meat and livestock exports.

Feb 20, 1961 – 60 years ago
Death of Percy Grainger, Australian-born American composer, pianist and conductor.

Feb 21, 1821 – 200 years ago
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy was founded in Pennsylvania. It was the first pharmacy college in the USA. It is now part of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

Feb 22, 1821 – 200 years ago
The Adams-Onís Treaty (also known as the Florida Purchase Treaty) came into effect. Spain ceded Florida to the USA and the border between the USA and Mexico was established, settling a dispute.

Feb 23, 1821 – 200 years ago
Death of John Keats, British poet. (Tuberculosis, aged 25.)

Feb 24, 1871 – 150 years ago
British naturalist Charles Darwin’s book The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex was published.

Feb 25, 1956 – 65 years ago
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gave an infamous speech On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences in which he condemned and denounced former leader Joseph Stalin as a brutal despot. This led to the de-Stalinisation of the Soviet Union.

Feb 26, 1896 – 125 years ago
French scientist Henri Becquerel unknowingly discovered radioactivity while investigating the phosphorescent rays of uranium and potassium crystals. He was jointly awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Pierre and Marie Curie who carried out further research. The SI unit for radioactivity, the becquerel, is named in his honor.

Feb 27, 1996 – 25 years ago
The Pokémon media franchise was launched by Japanese video game designer Satoshi Tajiri.

Feb 28, 1991 – 30 years ago
The Gulf War ended at midnight when a ceasefire came into effect.

Feb 29, 1996 – 25 years ago
A court ruled that the British actress Joan Collins was entitled to keep a $1.3 million advance from publishers Random House, plus a further $1.3 million for delivering her manuscripts on schedule. Random House had claimed that her two novels were unpublishable and demanded their money back.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2021. The 2022 edition is also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

31 newsworthy historical anniversaries in January 2021 (U.S. edition)

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for On This Day in History features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re simple to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

Here are 31 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in January 2021 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2021. You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries in the book. The 2022 edition is also available.

Jan 1, 2011 – 10 years ago
The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) TV channel was launched in the USA.

Jan 2, 1971 – 50 years ago
Cigarette advertisements were banned on US television and radio.

Jan 3, 1521 – 500 years ago
German Protestant reformer Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Leo X after he refused to recant his writings. (See also January 23rd below.)

Jan 4, 1896 – 125 years ago
Utah became the 45th state of the USA.

Jan 5, 1961 – 60 years ago
The first episode of the sitcom Mister Ed was broadcast in the USA. It was later picked up by CBS and ran for six seasons until 1966.

Jan 6, 1921 – 100 years ago
The Iraqi Army was formed.

Jan 7, 2001 – 20 years ago
John Kufuor was inaugurated as President of Ghana. It was the first peaceful transfer of power since Ghana gained independence in 1957.

Jan 8, 1921 – 100 years ago
David Lloyd George became the first British Prime Minister to occupy Chequers in Buckinghamshire. Chequers is the serving Prime Minister’s country retreat, and was given to the nation by Lord and Lady Lee of Fareham.

Jan 9, 2001 – 20 years ago
Apple launched iTunes, its digital media player and media management software.

Jan 10, 1946 – 75 years ago
The United Nations General Assembly convened for the first time, in London.

Jan 11, 1971 – 50 years ago
The first quickie divorce was granted in the UK following the passing of the Divorce Reform Act.

Jan 12, 1896 – 125 years ago
Three physics students at Davidson College, North Carolina took the first x-ray photograph in the USA – after illegally gaining access to a laboratory. Later that year, their professor, Henry Louis Smith, developed the technology for use in hospitals.

Jan 13, 1941 – 80 years ago
Death of James Joyce, Irish novelist. Best known for Ulysses, Finnegans Wake, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Dubliners.

Jan 14, 1951 – 70 years ago
The first National Football League (NFL) Pro Bowl game was played, in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Jan 15, 1971 – 50 years ago
The Aswan High Dam, on the Nile in Egypt, was officially dedicated.

Jan 16, 1921 – 100 years ago
The première of the Charlie Chaplin movie The Kid, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
(New York première: January 21st, released: February 6th. UK: March.)

Jan 17, 1871 – 150 years ago
American inventor Andrew Smith Hallidie was granted a US patent for endless wire rope – used in cable car systems. He established the world’s first cable car system in San Francisco, California in 1873.

Jan 18, 1871 – 150 years ago
Wilhelm I was proclaimed the first Emperor of Germany.

Jan 19, 2001 – 20 years ago
Internet twins case. American twin baby girls were seized from a hotel in Wales and taken into care. They had been “sold” by an adoption broker and adopted over the internet by a British couple, Alan and Judith Kilshaw. The couple became infamous after selling their story to a national newspaper. The twins were later returned to the USA after a judge ruled they were not safe in the couple’s care.

Jan 20, 1961 – 60 years ago
John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States.

Jan 21, 1981 – 40 years ago
The first DMC DeLorean sports car was produced in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland.
About 9,000 of the cars were produced between 1981 and early 1983. It famously featured in the movie Back to the Future.

Jan 22, 1946 – 75 years ago
The Central Intelligence Group was established in the USA. It was the predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which was established in September 1947.

Jan 23 to May 25, 1521 – 500 years ago
The Diet of Worms, Germany. The Holy Roman Empire held an imperial assembly, culminating in the Edict of Worms which branded the Protestant reformer Martin Luther a heretic and banned his writings.

Jan 24, 1946 – 75 years ago
The United Nations Atomic Energy Commission was established.

Jan 25, 1921 – 100 years ago
The première of Karel Capek’s play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The play marks the first use of the term robot.

Jan 26, 1871 – 150 years ago
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) was founded in England.

Jan 27, 1956 – 65 years ago
Elvis Presley’s hit song Heartbreak Hotel was released. It topped the US charts in April, and became his first hit in the UK in May.

Jan 28, 1921 – 100 years ago
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was installed beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. It honors those who died in WWI (and later also WWII) who were never identified.

Jan 29 to Feb 1, 1991 – 30 years ago
Gulf War: the Battle of Khafji, Saudi Arabia. The first major ground engagement of the war. Coalition victory.

Jan 30, 1951 – 70 years ago
Death of Ferdinand Porsche, Austrian-born German automotive engineer who designed the Volkswagen Bug and Tiger tank and founded the Porsche sports car company.

Jan 31, 1971 – 50 years ago
NASA launched Apollo 14, the 3rd manned mission to land on the Moon. On February 6th Alan Shepard became the first man to hit a golf ball on the Moon. The crewed returned to Earth on February 9th.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2021. The 2022 edition is also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

31 newsworthy historical anniversaries in January 2021

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for On This Day in History features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re simple to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

Here are 31 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in January 2021 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2021. You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries in the book. The 2022 edition is also available.

1 Jan 2011 – 10 years ago
The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) TV channel was launched in the USA.

2 Jan 1971 – 50 years ago
Cigarette advertisements were banned on US television and radio.

3 Jan 1521 – 500 years ago
German Protestant reformer Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Leo X after he refused to recant his writings. (See also 23rd January below.)

4 Jan 1896 – 125 years ago
Utah became the 45th state of the USA.

5 Jan 1961 – 60 years ago
The first episode of the sitcom Mister Ed was broadcast in the USA. It was later picked up by CBS and ran for six seasons until 1966.

6 Jan 1921 – 100 years ago
The Iraqi Army was formed.

7 Jan 2001 – 20 years ago
John Kufuor was inaugurated as President of Ghana. It was the first peaceful transfer of power since Ghana gained independence in 1957.

8 Jan 1921 – 100 years ago
David Lloyd George became the first British Prime Minister to occupy Chequers in Buckinghamshire. Chequers is the serving Prime Minister’s country retreat, and was given to the nation by Lord and Lady Lee of Fareham.

9 Jan 2001 – 20 years ago
Apple launched iTunes, its digital media player and media management software.

10 Jan 1946 – 75 years ago
The United Nations General Assembly convened for the first time, in London.

11 Jan 1971 – 50 years ago
The first quickie divorce was granted in the UK following the passing of the Divorce Reform Act.

12 Jan 1896 – 125 years ago
Three physics students at Davidson College, North Carolina took the first x-ray photograph in the USA – after illegally gaining access to a laboratory. Later that year, their professor, Henry Louis Smith, developed the technology for use in hospitals.

13 Jan 1941 – 80 years ago
Death of James Joyce, Irish novelist. Best known for Ulysses, Finnegans Wake, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Dubliners.

14 Jan 1951 – 70 years ago
The first National Football League (NFL) Pro Bowl game was played, in Los Angeles, California, USA.

15 Jan 1971 – 50 years ago
The Aswan High Dam, on the Nile in Egypt, was officially dedicated.

16 Jan 1921 – 100 years ago
The première of the Charlie Chaplin film The Kid, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
(New York première: 21st January, released: 6th February. UK: March.)

17 Jan 1871 – 150 years ago
American inventor Andrew Smith Hallidie was granted a US patent for endless wire rope – used in cable car systems. He established the world’s first cable car system in San Francisco, California in 1873.

18 Jan 1871 – 150 years ago
Wilhelm I was proclaimed the first Emperor of Germany.

19 Jan 2001 – 20 years ago
Internet twins case. American twin baby girls were seized from a hotel in Wales and taken into care. They had been “sold” by an adoption broker and adopted over the internet by a British couple, Alan and Judith Kilshaw. The couple became infamous after selling their story to a national newspaper. The twins were later returned to the USA after a judge ruled they were not safe in the couple’s care.

20 Jan 1961 – 60 years ago
John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States.

21 Jan 1981 – 40 years ago
The first DMC DeLorean sports car was produced in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland.
About 9,000 of the cars were produced between 1981 and early 1983. It famously featured in the film Back to the Future.

22 Jan 1946 – 75 years ago
The Central Intelligence Group was established in the USA. It was the predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which was established in September 1947.

23 Jan to 25 May 1521 – 500 years ago
The Diet of Worms, Germany. The Holy Roman Empire held an imperial assembly, culminating in the Edict of Worms which branded the Protestant reformer Martin Luther a heretic and banned his writings.

24 Jan 1946 – 75 years ago
The United Nations Atomic Energy Commission was established.

25 Jan 1921 – 100 years ago
The première of Karel Capek’s play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The play marks the first use of the term robot.

26 Jan 1871 – 150 years ago
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) was founded in England.

27 Jan 1956 – 65 years ago
Elvis Presley’s hit song Heartbreak Hotel was released. It topped the US charts in April, and became his first hit in the UK in May.

28 Jan 1921 – 100 years ago
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was installed beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. It honours those who died in WWI (and later also WWII) who were never identified.

29 Jan to 1 Feb 1991 – 30 years ago
Gulf War: the Battle of Khafji, Saudi Arabia. The first major ground engagement of the war. Coalition victory.

30 Jan 1951 – 70 years ago
Death of Ferdinand Porsche, Austrian-born German automotive engineer who designed the Volkswagen Beetle and Tiger tank and founded the Porsche sports car company.

31 Jan 1971 – 50 years ago
NASA launched Apollo 14, the 3rd manned mission to land on the Moon. On 6th February Alan Shepard became the first man to hit a golf ball on the Moon. The crewed returned to Earth on 9th February.

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2021. The 2022 edition is also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

31 newsworthy historical anniversaries in December 2020 (U.S. edition)

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for On This Day in History features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re simple to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

Here are 31 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in December 2020 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2020. You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries in the book. The editions for 2021 and 2022 are also available.

Dec 1, 1955 – 65 years ago
African American civil rights activist Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, USA, violating the city’s racial segregation laws. This incident led to the Montgomery bus boycott (December 5, 1955 – December 20, 1956) and the birth of the modern American civil rights movement.

Dec 2, 1970 – 50 years ago
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began operating.

Dec 3, 2010 – 10 years ago
The Nissan Leaf, one of the first mass-market electric cars, was launched.
It went on sale in the USA on December 11th, in Japan on December 22nd, and in the UK in March 2011.

Dec 4, 1995 – 25 years ago
The first version of the computer programming language JavaScript was released.
It enables interactive web pages to be developed, and is now used by the majority of websites.

Dec 5, 1945 – 75 years ago
Flight 19, a squadron of five U.S. Navy bombers, disappeared over the Bermuda Triangle during a training flight.

Dec 6, 1920 – 100 years ago
Birth of Dave Brubeck, American jazz pianist and composer.
Leader of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. (Died 2012.)

Dec 7, 1970 – 50 years ago
Death of Rube Goldberg, American cartoonist.
Best known for his overly complicated machines that used convoluted processes to perform simple tasks.

Dec 8, 1980 – 40 years ago
Death of John Lennon, British rock musician, singer, songwriter, and peace activist. A member of the Beatles.
(Shot dead, aged 40, outside his New York City apartment by Mark Chapman, a deranged fan.)

Dec 9, 1960 – 60 years ago
The first episode of the television soap opera Coronation Street was broadcast in the UK.

Dec 10, 1920 – 100 years ago
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end World War I and create the League of Nations.

Dec 11, 1970 – 50 years ago
The U.S. première of Walt Disney’s animated film The Aristocats.
(Released: December 24th. UK: December 27th.)

Dec 12, 1870 – 150 years ago
Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina became the first black person to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Dec 13, 1920 – 100 years ago
The Permanent Court of International Justice was established in The Hague, Netherlands.
It was superseded by the International Court of Justice in 1946.

Dec 14, 1895 – 125 years ago
Birth of George VI, King of the United Kingdom (1936–52). Father of Queen Elizabeth II.

Dec 15, 1970 – 50 years ago
The first spacecraft to successfully soft-land on another planet: the Soviet Union’s Venera 7 landed on Venus.

Dec 16, 1770 – 250 years ago
Birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer and pianist.

Dec 17, 1920 – 100 years ago
Major League Baseball managers banned the “spitball.”
Seventeen pitchers were exempted from the ban, the last retiring in 1934.

Dec 18, 1870 – 150 years ago
Birth of Saki, (pen name of Hector Hugo Munro), Burmese-born British writer.

Dec 19, 1920 – 100 years ago
King Constantine I of Greece was called out of exile and restored to the throne following the death of his son, Alexander I

Dec 20, 1820 – 200 years ago
Missouri became the first U.S. state to impose a bachelor tax on unmarried men between the ages of 21 and 50. They were taxed $1 per year.

Dec 21, 1620 – 400 years ago
The first landing party from the British ship Mayflower arrived at what would become Plymouth Colony (now Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA). They began building houses there on December 23rd.

Dec 22, 1845 – 175 years ago
German-born American inventor Joseph Faber gave a public demonstration of his euphonia – a mechanical device that could produce human speech – at the Musical Fund Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Initially known as Faber’s “Fabulous Talking Machine,” the operator pressed piano keys to open and close components which replicated the mouth, throat, tongue and vocal cords.

Dec 23, 1920 – 100 years ago
The Government of Ireland Act (also called the Fourth Home Rule Bill) came into effect. It was intended to establish separate governments in Northern and Southern Ireland, which would both remain part of the UK. The Act never took effect in Southern Ireland because of the outbreak of the Irish War of Independence. Most elements of the Act were suspended in Northern Ireland in 1972 following the outbreak of the Troubles.

Dec 24, 1955 – 65 years ago
The NORAD Tracks Santa service was launched.
It began by accident when a Sears department store advertisement invited children to phone Santa Claus, but gave the wrong number. Calls went to NORAD instead, where staff gave Santa’s “current location” so as not to disappoint callers.

Dec 25, 1620 – 400 years ago
At the Huguenot General Assembly in La Rochelle, France, the decision was made to defy King Louis XIII, who had established an all-Catholic government, and establish their own Calvinist Protestant state within France. This led to three Huguenot rebellions in 1620–22, 1625, and 1627–28, all of which were suppressed by the French state.

Dec 26 and 28, 1980 – 40 years ago
Rendlesham Forest incident, Suffolk, England.
Witnesses reported sightings of unexplained lights near RAF Woodbridge, along with claims of UFO landings.
The incident is sometimes called “Britain’s Roswell.”

Dec 27, 1945 – 75 years ago
The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development were formally founded.

Dec 28, 1945 – 75 years ago
The U.S. Congress formally recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.
It was written in 1892. Before 1945 it was known as the Pledge to the Flag. It was last revised in 1954 when the words “under God” were added.

Dec 29, 1845 – 175 years ago
Texas was admitted as the 28th state of the USA.

Dec 30, 1940 – 80 years ago
The Arroyo Seco Parkway (also known as the Pasadena Freeway) was officially opened in California, USA.
It is considered the first true freeway in the USA – though narrow by modern standards.

Dec 31, 1720 – 300 years ago
Birth of Charles Edward Stuart, commonly known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie” or “The Young Pretender.”
Stuart claimant to the British throne.
Leader of the unsuccessful Jacobite rebellion of 1745–46.
Grandson of King James II of England and Ireland (also known as James VII of Scotland).

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2020. The 2021 and 2022 editions are also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this:

31 newsworthy historical anniversaries in December 2020

Posted on by admin

Historical anniversaries are great for On This Day in History features and anniversary tie-ins. They’re popular with readers and viewers, editors and producers love them, they’re simple to research, and you can easily turn them into newspaper and magazine articles, films, TV/radio/theatre shows, and more.

Here are 31 newsworthy and notable historical anniversaries coming up in December 2020 (so you have time to write about them!)

We’ve randomly picked one anniversary for each day of the month from The Date-A-Base Book 2020. You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries in the book. The editions for 2021 and 2022 are also available.

1 Dec 1955 – 65 years ago
African American civil rights activist Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, USA, violating the city’s racial segregation laws. This incident led to the Montgomery bus boycott (5th December 1955 – 20th December 1956) and the birth of the modern American civil rights movement.

2 Dec 1970 – 50 years ago
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began operating.

3 Dec 2010 – 10 years ago
The Nissan Leaf, one of the first mass-market electric cars, was launched.
It went on sale in the USA on 11th December, in Japan on 22nd December, and in the UK in March 2011.

4 Dec 1995 – 25 years ago
The first version of the computer programming language JavaScript was released.
It enables interactive web pages to be developed, and is now used by the majority of websites.

5 Dec 1945 – 75 years ago
Flight 19, a squadron of five U.S. Navy bombers, disappeared over the Bermuda Triangle during a training flight.

6 Dec 1920 – 100 years ago
Birth of Dave Brubeck, American jazz pianist and composer.
Leader of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. (Died 2012.)

7 Dec 1970 – 50 years ago
Death of Rube Goldberg, American cartoonist.
Best known for his overly complicated machines that used convoluted processes to perform simple tasks.

8 Dec 1980 – 40 years ago
Death of John Lennon, British rock musician, singer, songwriter, and peace activist. A member of the Beatles.
(Shot dead, aged 40, outside his New York City apartment by Mark Chapman, a deranged fan.)

9 Dec 1960 – 60 years ago
The first episode of the television soap opera Coronation Street was broadcast in the UK.

10 Dec 1920 – 100 years ago
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end World War I and create the League of Nations.

11 Dec 1970 – 50 years ago
The U.S. première of Walt Disney’s animated film The Aristocats.
(Released: 24th December. UK: 27th December.)

12 Dec 1870 – 150 years ago
Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina became the first black person to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

13 Dec 1920 – 100 years ago
The Permanent Court of International Justice was established in The Hague, Netherlands.
It was superseded by the International Court of Justice in 1946.

14 Dec 1895 – 125 years ago
Birth of George VI, King of the United Kingdom (1936-52). Father of Queen Elizabeth II.

15 Dec 1970 – 50 years ago
The first spacecraft to successfully soft-land on another planet: the Soviet Union’s Venera 7 landed on Venus.

16 Dec 1770 – 250 years ago
Birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer and pianist.

17 Dec 1920 – 100 years ago
Major League Baseball managers banned the “spitball”.
Seventeen pitchers were exempted from the ban, the last retiring in 1934.

18 Dec 1870 – 150 years ago
Birth of Saki, (pen name of Hector Hugo Munro), Burmese-born British writer.

19 Dec 1920 – 100 years ago
King Constantine I of Greece was called out of exile and restored to the throne following the death of his son, Alexander I

20 Dec 1820 – 200 years ago
Missouri became the first U.S. state to impose a bachelor tax on unmarried men between the ages of 21 and 50. They were taxed $1 per year.

21 Dec 1620 – 400 years ago
The first landing party from the British ship Mayflower arrived at what would become Plymouth Colony (now Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA). They began building houses there on 23rd December.

22 Dec 1845 – 175 years ago
German-born American inventor Joseph Faber gave a public demonstration of his euphonia – a mechanical device that could produce human speech – at the Musical Fund Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Initially known as Faber’s “Fabulous Talking Machine”, the operator pressed piano keys to open and close components which replicated the mouth, throat, tongue and vocal cords.

23 Dec 1920 – 100 years ago
The Government of Ireland Act (also called the Fourth Home Rule Bill) came into effect. It was intended to establish separate governments in Northern and Southern Ireland, which would both remain part of the UK. The Act never took effect in Southern Ireland because of the outbreak of the Irish War of Independence. Most elements of the Act were suspended in Northern Ireland in 1972 following the outbreak of the Troubles.

24 Dec 1955 – 65 years ago
The NORAD Tracks Santa service was launched.
It began by accident when a Sears department store advertisement invited children to phone Santa Claus, but gave the wrong number. Calls went to NORAD instead, where staff gave Santa’s “current location” so as not to disappoint callers.

25 Dec 1620 – 400 years ago
At the Huguenot General Assembly in La Rochelle, France, the decision was made to defy King Louis XIII, who had established an all-Catholic government, and establish their own Calvinist Protestant state within France. This led to three Huguenot rebellions in 1620–22, 1625, and 1627–28, all of which were suppressed by the French state.

26 and 28 Dec 1980 – 40 years ago
Rendlesham Forest incident, Suffolk, England.
Witnesses reported sightings of unexplained lights near RAF Woodbridge, along with claims of UFO landings.
The incident is sometimes called “Britain’s Roswell”.

27 Dec 1945 – 75 years ago
The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development were formally founded.

28 Dec 1945 – 75 years ago
The U.S. Congress formally recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.
It was written in 1892. Before 1945 it was known as the Pledge to the Flag. It was last revised in 1954 when the words “under God” were added.

29 Dec 1845 – 175 years ago
Texas was admitted as the 28th state of the USA.

30 Dec 1940 – 80 years ago
The Arroyo Seco Parkway (also known as the Pasadena Freeway) was officially opened in California, USA.
It is considered the first true freeway in the USA – though narrow by modern standards.

31 Dec 1720 – 300 years ago
Birth of Charles Edward Stuart, commonly known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie” or “The Young Pretender.”
Stuart claimant to the British throne.
Leader of the unsuccessful Jacobite rebellion of 1745–46.
Grandson of King James II of England and Ireland (also known as James VII of Scotland).

More anniversaries:

You’ll find hundreds more anniversaries for this month in The Date-A-Base Book 2020. The 2021 and 2022 editions are also available if you need to work further ahead. Find out more at ideas4writers.com.

Share this: