History Today: When Michael Jackson’s doctor was convicted for singer's death

Michael Jackson’s popularity is something that musicians desire to have, while his iconic dance moves are something that has inspired every dancer. He was truly the King of Pop. Naturally, the news of his death sent shockwaves around the world. It was on November 7, 2011, when his personal doctor, Conrad Murray, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the singer’s death in 2009.

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 2013, social media giant Twitter Inc. made its highly anticipated debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and became a public company. The company’s successful listing signified a major milestone in the evolution of social media and Silicon Valley’s expanding influence on global communication.

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

Michael Jackson’s doctor was convicted

On November 7, 2011, Michael Jackson’s personal physician Dr Conrad Murray, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter related to the pop icon’s death two years earlier. The verdict marked the culmination of a high-profile trial that gripped the world.

Michael Jackson, aged 50, died on June 25, 2009, at his Los Angeles home after suffering cardiac arrest. An investigation revealed that his death was caused by an overdose of propofol, a powerful surgical anaesthetic, along with other sedatives. Prosecutors argued that Dr Murray had administered the drug irresponsibly as a sleep aid, violating standard medical practices and failing to provide proper monitoring.

During the six-week trial, the prosecution painted Murray as negligent, claiming he abandoned Jackson after giving him a lethal dose. The defence countered that Jackson had self-administered the fatal amount. However, medical experts testified that Murray’s conduct,  including his delay in calling emergency services and lack of proper equipment, directly contributed to the singer’s death.

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After less than two days of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict, holding Murray responsible for Jackson’s death. He was later sentenced to four years in prison, though he served roughly half due to good behaviour and prison overcrowding.

The verdict brought a measure of closure to Jackson’s family and millions of fans worldwide. However, it also reignited debate about celebrity pressure, medical ethics, and the exploitation of artists’ vulnerabilities.

Twitter becomes a public company

Social giant Twitter Inc. made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol TWTR on this day in  2013. This marked one of the most closely watched initial public offerings (IPOs) of the decade.

Twitter, founded in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams, had grown rapidly into a global platform for real-time conversation, news, and social engagement. Its IPO came amid investor excitement about the profitability of social networks following Facebook’s public offering a year earlier.

Priced initially at $26 per share, Twitter’s stock opened at $45.10 and closed the first day at $44.90, soaring 73 per cent above its offering price. The surge valued the company at around $31 billion, instantly making several early investors and employees millionaires. The successful launch reflected market confidence in Twitter’s potential to transform digital communication, advertising, and media.

However, despite the enthusiasm, analysts raised concerns about Twitter’s lack of consistent profits and reliance on user growth and advertising revenue. At the time of the IPO, Twitter reported over 230 million monthly active users, yet remained unprofitable — a challenge that would continue to shape its future business strategy.

The company’s public debut also underscored its cultural significance. From breaking news and political movements to celebrity interactions and social activism, Twitter had become a global megaphone — a symbol of 21st-century expression and immediacy.

This Day, That Year

Hillary Clinton was elected to the US Senate, becoming the first lady to win elective office in 2000.

Franklin D Roosevelt was elected to an unprecedented fourth term as president of the United States in 1944.

The October Revolution in Russia ended in 1917.