Today in History

History Today: When the United Nations was born in the hope for a new beginning

On October 24, 1945, the United Nations came into existence — a global commitment to prevent another world war and promote peace among nations. The date also saw Concorde’s final flight in 2003, the emergence of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and the selection of America’s Unknown Soldier in 1921

History Today: How the worst hostage crisis situation in Russian history unfolded

Around 50 Chechen militants stormed a theatre in Moscow and took as many as 850 people captive on October 23, 2002. The hostage crisis ended after three days when Russian special forces troops filled the theatre with a gas, resulting in at least 150 deaths. On this day in 1964, Jean-Paul Sartre refused to accept the Nobel Prize in Literature

History Today: When India launched the Chandrayaan-1

The world watched as India launched its first moon mission, Chandrayaan-1, on October 22, 2008. The mission was primarily designed as an orbiter, intended to circle the Moon at a 100-kilometre altitude for a planned two years. On this day in 1797, the first successful parachute jump in the world, attempted by André-Jacques Garnerin, was recorded in Paris

History Today: When Subhas Chandra Bose declared the Azad Hind Government

On October 21, 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose declared the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind), uniting thousands under the Indian National Army’s call for independence. This day also marked Thomas Edison’s breakthrough with the light bulb and mass Vietnam War protests

History Today: When Wall Street witnessed 'Black Monday', its biggest ever crash

On October 19, 1987, Wall Street experienced its sharpest single-day collapse in history as the Dow plunged 22.6 per cent — an event known as 'Black Monday'. Also on this day, Saddam Hussein’s trial began, streptomycin was discovered, and Blockbuster debuted

History Today: When the great beer flood of 1814 unleashed mayhem on London's streets

Nearly 1.47 million litres of beer flooded the streets of London following the bursting of a massive beer vat on October 17, 1814. Eight people lost their lives after they were trapped in their basements and cellars. In 1989, one of the most destructive earthquakes in the history of the United States occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area, killing more than 63 people

History Today: How Britain ‘divided and conquered’ India through the partition of Bengal

Citing administrative difficulty in governing such a large province, the British formally divided Bengal on October 16, 1905. However, the Indian National Congress stated that it was an attempt to ‘dive and rule’. Fortunately, the partition of Bengal was reversed in 1911. On this day, the Cuban Missile Crisis also began between the world’s two superpowers — America and the Soviet Union

History Today: When actress Alyssa Milano's tweet triggered the viral #MeToo movement

The #MeToo movement took over social media on October 15, 2017. The catalyst for the explosion was a tweet by American actress Alyssa Milano, who, in the wake of numerous sexual abuse allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, encouraged women who had been sexually harassed or assaulted to simply reply with the two powerful words

History Today: How the White House got its name, courtesy Theodore Roosevelt

US President Theodore Roosevelt renamed the Executive Mansion as the White House on October 12, 1901. Though the building was affectionately referred to as the White House for much of the 19th century, Roosevelt’s decision made the title official. On this day in 1960, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev brandished a shoe during a session at the United Nations

History Today: When John Lennon released 'Imagine' calling for peace and unity

On October 11, 1971, John Lennon released 'Imagine', a song that transcended music to become a universal call for peace and unity. Rooted in Yoko Ono’s avant-garde influence and Lennon’s political awakening, the song evolved into one of the most powerful statements in modern history