History Today: When South Africa's Oscar Pistorius was convicted of murdering girlfriend

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide in the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on September 12, 2014. The “Blade Runner" was once celebrated for his achievements as a double amputee sprinter.

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 1953, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier married John Fitzgerald Kennedy in a ceremony that was remembered as one of the most iconic weddings in American political history.

Here is all that happened on this day.

Oscar Pistorius convicted of murder

South African paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide on September 12, 2014 for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The case became one of the most closely watched trials in recent memory.

The case stemmed from the tragic events of Valentine’s Day, 2013, when Pistorius fatally wounding Steenkamp after firing four shots through a locked bathroom door in his home. He claimed he mistook her for an intruder while prosecutors argued that he acted intentionally after an argument. The incident shocked the world, as Pistorius had been admired not only for his athletic triumphs at the Paralympic and Olympic Games but also for breaking barriers for disabled athletes on the global stage.

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Judge Thokozile Masipa at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that Pistorius had acted negligently, failing to take reasonable steps before firing his weapon. While she cleared him of premeditated murder, the conviction for culpable homicide carried a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years. Pistorius was also found guilty on separate firearms-related charges.

The verdict divided public opinion. Supporters of Steenkamp’s family expressed disappointment, believing the ruling was too lenient, while others argued that the judgment fairly reflected the complexities of the case. The trial raised larger questions about celebrity privilege, gun culture in South Africa, and gender-based violence, sparking global debate.

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Jacqueline Bouvier married John F Kennedy

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier’s marriage ceremony to John Fitzgerald Kennedy is often remembered as the most iconic weddings in American political history. The wedding, which took place at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Rhode Island’s Newport, was attended by over 700 guests. Another 900 guests joined the lavish reception at Hammersmith Farm, the Bouvier family estate.

Jacqueline, a 24-year-old debutante and photographer for the Washington Times-Herald, wore a gown designed by African American fashion designer Ann Lowe. The dress, made of ivory silk taffeta with a bouffant skirt and intricate pleats, became instantly famous, later cemented as one of the most celebrated wedding gowns of the 20th century. Her look was completed with a lace veil and pearls, lending her an air of grace that captured the public imagination.

John F Kennedy, then a 36-year-old senator from Massachusetts, already carried the aura of a rising political star. Their marriage was seen not just as a union of two prominent East Coast families — the Bouviers and the Kennedys — but also as a carefully watched step in JFK’s political journey. The ceremony symbolized the merging of wealth, culture, and ambition, projecting the image of a modern American dynasty in the making.

The reception at Hammersmith Farm featured music, dancing, and a towering wedding cake, setting a new standard for society weddings of the era. Photographs of the couple, smiling and poised, were widely circulated, further enhancing their public image as America’s golden pair.

This Day, That Year

• In 1992, astronaut Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to fly in space.

• The Soviet Union launched Luna 2, the first space probe to hit the Moon on 1959.