 "History Today: How EgyptAir Flight 804 took off from Paris International Airport but never made it to Cairo")
For most of us, May 19 may not ring any bells, but for some, it changed lives. Such was the case with the passengers of EgyptAir Flight 804 which disappeared on May 19, 2016, over the Mediterranean Sea. 66 people, including passengers and crew, were headed to Cairo from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport but never made it to their destination.
If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.
On this day in 2018, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, married American actress Meghan Markle at the St George Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Here is all that happened on this day across the world.
EgyptAir Flight 804 disappears over the Mediterranean Sea
It was a regular flight for the 66 passengers of EgyptAir Flight 804. But, they were unaware of what was in store for them. The flight, travelling from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Cairo International Airport, was carrying 66 people on board.
The Airbus A320 lost contact with air traffic control at around 2:30 am local time, just as it entered Egyptian airspace over the Mediterranean Sea. The flight was at cruising altitude, approximately 37,000 feet, and no distress call was received, raising immediate alarm.
The passengers included 56 passengers , seven crew members and three security personnel, with nationals from France, Egypt, Canada, the United Kingdom and several other countries. Initial search and rescue efforts, led by Egyptian and Greek authorities, discovered debris, personal belongings and human remains in the sea, confirming the aircraft’s tragic fate.
Speculation surrounding the cause of the incident initially ranged from terrorism to mechanical failure. Early theories emphasised sabotage due to the lack of distress signals but a year later investigations revealed evidence of smoke alerts from the aircraft’s forward lavatory and avionics bay in the minutes before its disappearance. These findings pointed towards an onboard fire, the specific cause of which remained undetermined.
French investigators successfully retrieved the aircraft’s black box providing partial data, despite severe damage. In 2018, the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) concluded that a fire was the probable cause of the crash. Meanwhile, Egyptian authorities have continued to consider the possibility of a deliberate act and have not dismissed terrorism as a potential factor.
A Royal Wedding: Prince Harry weds Meghan Markle
It was an important day for the citizens of the United Kingdom and many others around the world who follow the monarchy’s every move. Prince Harry, once considered to be the most eligible bachelor in the world, married his American girlfriend Meghan Markle on this day in 2018.
The wedding took place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and captivated audiences around the world. Prince Harry , the younger son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, first encountered Meghan Markle in 2016. Their subsequent relationship rapidly became a subject of international interest, attributable not only to Markle’s background as a divorced, biracial American actress but also to her recognised humanitarian work and independent disposition. Notwithstanding intense media scrutiny, the couple entered into an engagement in November 2017.
The ceremony was attended by 600 guests, including royal family members and celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney and Serena Williams. Millions worldwide watched the event live. The wedding reflected the couple’s unconventional approach, evident in Meghan’s Givenchy gown and solo aisle walk, a stirring sermon by Bishop Michael Curry and a gospel choir’s rendition of “Stand by Me.”
Meghan Markle's biracial background and feminist principles introduced a notable element of diversity and inclusion to the wedding, eliciting widespread praise and commentary internationally. The marriage represented a significant juncture for the monarchy, symbolizing a potential progression towards a more contemporary and globally aware royal family.
This Day, That Year
On this day in 2024, Iranian hard-line president Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash.
English explorer John Franklin’s ill-fated expedition to find the Northwest Passage began as the Erebus and the Terror set sail from London in 1845.
In 1802, Napoleon created the Legion of Honour, the premier order of the French Republic.
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