History Today: When Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to scale Mount Everest

History was scripted on May 23, 1984, when Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to summit Mount Everest. She scaled the world’s highest peak at 8,848 metres as part of India’s fourth expedition to Everest.

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 1934, notorious criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were shot to death by Texas and Louisiana state police near Sailes, Louisiana.

Here is all that took place on this day across the world.

First Indian woman scaled Mt Everest

Bachendri Pal’s name was written in golden letters in history on May 23, 1984, after she scaled the highest peak in the world , Mount Everest. Pal, born in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, had been drawn to the mountains from a young age.

As she expressed her desire to become a professional mountaineer, she encountered stiff opposition from her family and relatives. But, this changed when she soon found success in her chosen field. Having successfully climbed a number of smaller peaks, she was selected to join India’s inaugural mixed-gender team for a Mount Everest expedition .

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Pal’s ascent was undertaken as part of India’s fourth Everest expedition, commanded by Brigadier DK Khullar. The expedition encountered significant challenges, including an avalanche on the Lhotse glacier that resulted in injuries to several team members. Undeterred by these obstacles, Pal continued her climb, successfully reaching the summit on May 23, 1984, the day before her 30th birthday.

Following her groundbreaking ascent, Pal dedicated herself to promoting adventure sports among women. She subsequently led numerous expeditions, notably an all-women’s team to Everest in 1993 and orchestrated various rafting and trekking missions throughout the Himalayas. Her unwavering commitment to service was also demonstrated by her disaster relief work, especially during the 2013 North India floods.

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Police killed Bonnie and Clyde

Two notorious criminals , namely Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were shot dead by Texas and Louisiana state police on this day in 1934. The two met when Bonnie was 19 years old and her husband was serving time in jail for murder.

Shortly after their meeting, Barrow was imprisoned for robbery. Parker visited him daily and smuggled a gun into prison for his escape, though he was soon caught in Ohio and returned to jail. Upon Barrow’s parole in 1932, he immediately reconnected with Parker, and they began their life of crime together.

Throughout the next two years, the couple along with other accomplices including Barrow’s childhood friend Raymond Hamilton, WD Jones, Henry Methvin, Barrow’s brother Buck and his wife Blanche, created havoc in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico and Louisiana.

So, the police decided to eliminate the Barrow Gang and set up an ambush. On May 23, the police set up a trap along a rural road, with the assistance of Ivan Methvin, the father of Barrow Gang member Henry Methvin. As Bonnie and Clyde approached the scene in their stolen 1934 Ford V-8, the posse opened fire, unleashing a barrage of bullets.  The couple succumbed instantly, with reports indicating that approximately 130 rounds were discharged, resulting in their bodies being extensively perforated.

The deaths of Bonnie and Clyde marked the end of their infamous crime spree during the Great Depression era, which had captured the attention of the American public. Their story has since been romanticised in popular culture, but the reality of their violent end serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of their actions.

This Day, That Year

• The horror classic The Shining was released in theatres on this day in 1980.

• On this day in 1951, China annexed Tibet.

• Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary, entering World War I on the side of the Allies on May 23, 1915.