Aceasta zi in istorie - This day in history

In 1901, anarchist Leon Czolgosz shot US President William McKinley at the Pan-American Exposition, a World's Fair in Buffalo, New York. McKinley died a week later, and Czolgosz was convicted of his murder and executed that same year. Though judged sane during the trial, Czolgosz is believed by some to have been mentally unstable after suffering a breakdown years earlier. What Broadway musical incorporates the story of Czolgosz with those of eight other presidential assassins? Discuss

Indignation against England's colonial policy reached fever pitch in the British North American colonies after the passage of the so-called Intolerable Acts. The First Continental Congress, made up of delegates from every colony except Georgia, was convened in Philadelphia to address grievances against British policy. At that time, only a few radical members considered the possibility of breaking with England. What course of action did the delegates elect to pursue instead? Discuss

The USS Shenandoah was the first American-built rigid dirigible. Its design was based on a German zeppelin downed during WWI, and it was the first ship to be filled with helium—making it safer than hydrogen-filled crafts. A year after its maiden voyage, it became the first rigid airship to cross North America. While on another tour in 1925, it passed through a storm and was torn apart. Thirteen crew members died in the crash. How did those who survived the disaster manage to do so? Discuss

Campbell, an English automobile and speedboat racer, set many speed records for motorcycles, airplanes, automobiles, and motorboats. In 1931, he was knighted for his accomplishments. Four years later, driving his famed automobile Bluebird at Bonneville Flats, Utah, Campbell set his final land speed record, becoming the first person to drive an automobile faster than 300 mph (483 km/h). He later turned to speedboat racing and set a new record in 1939, when his boat reached what speed? Discuss

After an abortive insurrection in June 1792, French revolutionaries followed it with a decisive one in August. Under pressure from the insurrection, the Assembly suspended Louis XVI and ordered elections for a National Convention to draw up a new constitution. Mass arrests of royalist sympathizers were followed by the September massacres, in which frenzied mobs entered jails throughout Paris and killed approximately 2,000 prisoners, many in grisly fashion. Who was targeted during the massacres? Discuss

In 1977, 18-year-old Terry Fox was diagnosed with a malignant bone tumor, and his right leg was amputated above the knee. Three years later, the Canadian began his Marathon of Hope, a coast-to-coast run with the goal of raising $1 for each Canadian citizen—totaling about $24 million—for cancer research. Running roughly the distance of a marathon each day, Fox covered 3,339 mi (5,373 km) before learning that the cancer had spread to his lungs. He died several months later. How much did he raise? Discuss

The Iroquois Confederacy is a North American confederation of indigenous peoples, initially comprising the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. A sixth tribe, the Tuscarora, joined later. The league was formed for both defense purposes and to prevent intertribal conflict. Although frequently referred to as the Iroquois, the nations refer to themselves collectively as Haudenosaunee, which means "people of the longhouse." The league's formation is said to have coincided with what event? Discuss

At the start of the Creek Civil War, settlers north of Mobile, Alabama, sought refuge at Fort Mims. Approximately 550 settlers, including 175 armed militiamen, were at the fort when it was attacked by a force of Creek Indians belonging to the Red Sticks faction under the command of Peter McQueen and William Weatherford, known as "Red Eagle." The massacre marked the transition from civil war among the Creeks to war between Americans and Red Stick warriors. How many settlers survived the massacre? Discuss

In 1526, King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia led a poorly prepared army against a vastly superior Turkish force led by Sultan Suleiman I with disastrous results. About 25,000 of the king's soldiers were killed in the battle, and the rest were taken captive and massacred. Louis himself died during the retreat after being thrown from his horse. The defeat resulted in more than 150 years of Ottoman domination in Hungary. What modern Hungarian expression of bad luck references the battle? Discuss

Often called "the seat of international law," the Peace Palace houses the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague Academy of International Law, and the International Court of Justice, which is the primary judicial body of the United Nations. The palace was conceived in the early 20th century and was funded by American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. To show their support for the project, many nations sent gifts for use or display in the palace, including what items? Discuss

The Anglo-Zanzibar War is the shortest war in history. Lasting only 38 minutes, the conflict broke out when Khalid bin Bargash seized power after the death of his uncle, Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini. The British, who favored a different candidate, delivered an ultimatum ordering Bargash to abdicate. When Bargash refused and assembled an army, the Royal Navy sent five warships to the harbor in front of the palace and opened fire. For what did the British demand payment after the brief war was over? Discuss

Adopted by France's National Assembly in 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen contains the principles that inspired the French Revolution. Influenced by the American Declaration of Independence, it serves as the preamble to France's Constitution of 1791. It guarantees rights to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression, as well as freedom of speech and of the press. Even today, many of the principles in the declaration have broad implications, such as what? Discuss

"The Great Moon Hoax" was a series of six New York Sun articles discussing the supposed discovery of life on the Moon. The discovery—allegedly made using a massive telescope—was falsely attributed to famed astronomer Sir John Herschel. In the articles, the author claims that unicorns, bipedal beavers, bat-like humanoids, and other fantastic animals inhabit a forest- and ocean-covered Moon. The series was likely intended to boost the paper's sales and ridicule what contemporary theories? Discuss

"The Great Moon Hoax" was a series of six New York Sun articles discussing the supposed discovery of life on the Moon. The discovery—allegedly made using a massive telescope—was falsely attributed to famed astronomer Sir John Herschel. In the articles, the author claims that unicorns, bipedal beavers, bat-like humanoids, and other fantastic animals inhabit a forest- and ocean-covered Moon. The series was likely intended to boost the paper's sales and ridicule what contemporary theories? Discuss

During the War of 1812, a year after US troops burned Canadian Parliament Buildings in the Battle of York, British troops retaliated by marching on Washington, DC, and setting fire to its public buildings—including the Capitol and the White House. According to some accounts, First Lady Dolley Madison refused to leave the White House until just moments before British troops arrived, gathering valuables, documents, and other items of importance, including what notable painting? Discuss

In 1989, more than a million people formed a human chain more than 373 miles (600 km) long across the three Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Known as the "Baltic Way," the demonstration marked the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, an agreement between the Soviet Union and Germany that secretly divided Poland and gave the Soviet Union control of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland. When did the Soviet Union finally admit the existence of the secret protocol? Discuss

A botnet is a collection of software robots, or bots, that run automatically on groups of "zombie" computers controlled remotely by hackers. One of the most notorious botnets in hacking history, the so-called "Storm" botnet was named for the storm-related subject lines initially employed by its infectious emails. Of the billions of virus messages sent out by this botnet, 57 million were sent in one day alone. By September 2007, the botnet is believed to have been running on how many computers? Discuss

Turner, born into slavery and sold three times as a child, led a slave uprising in Virginia that resulted in the deaths of about 55 white people. A deeply religious man, he experienced visions he interpreted as divine in nature and which convinced him that his mission in life was to lead slaves out of bondage. He and many of his followers were caught and hanged, and many more blacks were killed in retaliation. What celestial event did Turner interpret as a sign to begin preparing for rebellion? Discuss

First colonized by the Portuguese, Senegal became part of French West Africa in 1895. In 1946, it became an overseas territory of France, and its inhabitants were made French citizens. In 1958, Senegal became an autonomous republic within the French Community. The next year, Senegal joined the Mali Federation, which became independent in June 1960. Two months later, Senegal withdrew from the federation, becoming an independent state. What small nation does Senegal almost entirely surround? Discuss

The USS Constitution, better known as "Old Ironsides," is perhaps the most famous vessel in the history of the US Navy. One of the first frigates built for the Navy, the Constitution saw action in several wars and defeated the British frigate HMS Guerrière during the War of 1812. Later condemned as unseaworthy, the ship was saved from dismantling by public sentiment aroused by Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem "Old Ironsides." How did the wooden ship get its nickname? Discuss

Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is an organization dedicated to the treatment of drug addiction. Since its first meeting in 1953, NA has spread to more than 100 countries, with tens of thousands of meetings held regularly. Its 12-step program of recovery begins with the member's admission that his or her life has become unmanageable due to powerlessness over addiction. What controversies have arisen over the group's official literature? Discuss

Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is an organization dedicated to the treatment of drug addiction. Since its first meeting in 1953, NA has spread to more than 100 countries, with tens of thousands of meetings held regularly. Its 12-step program of recovery begins with the member's admission that his or her life has become unmanageable due to powerlessness over addiction. What controversies have arisen over the group's official literature? Discuss

For the entirety of his Major League Baseball career, Ray Chapman was a shortstop for Cleveland. He set a team record for stolen bases that would stand for decades, but his career was tragically cut short when he was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by Yankees hurler Carl Mays. According to eyewitnesses, Chapman likely never even saw the ball. He is the only Major League Baseball player to have died as a result of an injury received in a game. His death led the league to establish what rule? Discuss

One of the oldest amusement parks still in operation, Denmark's Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843 with a variety of attractions, including a theatre, bandstands, amusement rides, and, of course, flower gardens. Tivoli is said to have inspired Walt Disney's plans for his own park. Today, the park is best known for its wooden roller coaster, built in 1914. What did Tivoli founder Georg Carstensen reportedly tell King Christian VIII about the park to obtain a five-year charter for the site? Discuss

During the Great Depression, millions of people dissatisfied with the government response to the poor economy supported a plan to demand a $200 monthly pension for everyone over the age of 60. President Franklin D. Roosevelt responded by establishing a committee on economic security, which recommended legislative action to the US Congress. The resulting act established a national old-age pension system financed by a payroll tax on employers and employees. Who is eligible for Social Security? Discuss

Servetus, a Spanish physician who was the first to accurately describe cardiopulmonary circulation, is perhaps best remembered for his theological writings, which ultimately led to his execution. His religious views, particularly his denial of the Trinity, alienated Roman Catholics and Protestants alike and led to his arrest and imprisonment in 1553. He escaped but was soon rearrested, convicted of heresy, and burned at the stake. What modern Christian sects consider him a spiritual ancestor? Discuss

After likely arranging for her brothers Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV—to whom she was married, according to custom—to be killed, Cleopatra gained sole rule of Egypt. She later left for Rome with Julius Caesar but returned to Egypt after his assassination, luring Caesar's heir, Mark Antony, into marriage. Octavian, whose sister Antony had previously married, declared war on Cleopatra and Antony and defeated their joint forces at the Battle of Actium. How did Cleopatra allegedly commit suicide? Discuss

In 1910, France made Chad a part of French Equatorial Africa. Thirty-six years later, it was made an overseas territory and granted its own territorial legislature. Chad gained autonomy within the French Community during the French constitutional referendum of 1958 and full independence in 1960. The decades of civil war that followed have resulted in political instability and poor economic development. Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of refugees from what country have sought refuge in Chad? Discuss

Between 1976 and 1977, New York City was terrorized by a serial killer—later identified as David Berkowitz—who called himself the "Son of Sam" in letters to police. After his arrest in August 1977, Berkowitz confessed to killing six people and wounding seven others in the course of eight shootings. Berkowitz later claimed that he was commanded to kill by a demon who possessed his neighbor's dog. Why did thousands of women in New York cut or dye their hair when the perpetrator was still at large? Discuss

Tate, an American actress, was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1968 for her performance in Valley of the Dolls. In 1969, Charles Manson, leader of a cult called the "Family," sent his followers to Tate's home with orders to "totally destroy everyone in [it], as gruesome as you can." Tate, 8 ½ months pregnant at the time, was murdered along with 5 friends. The "Family" committed several other murders before its members were caught and brought to trial in 1971. Who was Tate's husband? Discuss