Topic for History

Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge

Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge, the second child of Prince William, duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, duchess of Cambridge, was born in London. Sort fact from fiction in our English royalty quiz

Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Images

2011

Osama bin Laden

Osama bin Laden—founder of the militant Islamist organization al-Qaedaand mastermind of numerous terrorist attacks, notably the September 11, 2001, attacks—was killed by U.S. forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Watch a video of U.S. President Barack Obama announcing the death of Osama bin Laden

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (U.S. v. Moussaoui)

2000

GPS satellite

U.S. President Bill Clinton announced that highly accurate GPS would be made available to the public; the satellite signals had previously been degraded for nonmilitary use. Learn how GPS satellites guide airplanes, cars, and even cell phones

Courtesy of the Lockheed Martin Corporation

1997

Tony Blair

British Labour Party leader Tony Blair became prime minister of the United Kingdom; he was the youngest person to hold the office since 1812. Test your knowledge of British culture and politics

© Crown copyright

1946

Alcatraz Island

An attempted prison escape by six inmates at Alcatraz resulted in two days of violent fighting, which became known as the Battle of Alcatraz.

© Fabio Formaggio/Dreamstime.com

1935

Philippines: terraced fields

The peasants of Luzon, Philippines, rose up in arms against oppressive land tenancy laws. Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about Southeast Asia

© Skip Nall/Corbis RF

1921

Satyajit Ray

Bengali director Satyajit Ray, who brought Indian cinema to world recognition with the Apu Trilogy, was born in Calcutta (Kolkata). Sort fact from fiction in our Bollywood quiz

Camera Press/Globe Photos

1920

Pittsburgh Crawfords

The Negro National League (NNL), founded by Rube Foster, held its first game; the NNL was considered the first successful professional baseballleague for African Americans, and notable players included Cool Papa Belland Satchel Paige. How much do you know about baseball?

RLPM Collection/Alamy

1903

Benjamin Spock

American pediatrician Benjamin Spock—who wrote a number of influential works on child rearing, notably Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care (1946), which sold more than 50 million copies worldwide—was born. Do you know these famous doctors?

Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

1892

Manfred, baron von Richthofen

Manfred, baron von Richthofen (the “Red Baron”), Germany’s top aviator and leading ace in World War I, was born in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland). Test your knowledge of World War I

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

1889

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Menilek II of Ethiopia signed the Treaty of Wichale with Italy, granting it territory in northern Ethiopia in exchange for money and weaponry.

1803

Louisiana Purchase

The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France at a rate of less than three cents per acre for 828,000 square miles (2,144,520 square km), which soon proved to be a tremendous bargain. How much do you know about early American history?

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

1611

frontispiece of the King James Bible

The King James Version of the Bible was first published. Discover the misprints and errors in early editions of the King James Bible

Rare Book and Manuscript Library/University of Pennsylvania

1536

Anne Boleyn

Henry VIII had his second wife, Anne Boleyn, committed to the Tower of London on charges of adultery and incest; although likely innocent, she was later convicted and beheaded. Take our quiz about Henry VIII and his wives

© Photos.com/Getty Images

1519

Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci—whose works, notably the painting Mona Lisa, were among the most famous in the world—died in Cloux, France. Watch an overview of the life of Leonardo da Vinci

Courtesy of Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan

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The newly crowned royal couple

In the first British coronation in some seven decades, Charles III and Camilla were crowned king and queen, respectively. Take our quiz about the kings of England

Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

2004

Friends

The final episode of the television sitcom Friends aired and was watched by more than 52 million viewers. Read our list of 10 of the best American sitcoms

© Warner Bros. Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

2002

Falcon 1 rocket

South African-born American entrepreneur Elon Musk founded the aerospace company SpaceX, which helped usher in the era of commercial spaceflight. Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about space exploration

Chris Thompson/SpaceX (A Britannica Publishing Partner)

1998

Steve Jobs with an iMac

Steve Jobs introduced Apple’s first iMac, a personal computer that became hugely successful and helped revive the struggling company. Test your knowledge of tech companies

1992

Marlene Dietrich

German American actress Marlene Dietrich—whose beauty, voice, aura of sophistication, and languid sensuality made her one of the world’s most glamorous film stars—died at age 90. Take our women in classic cinema quiz

Pictorial Parade

1961

George Clooney in Up in the Air

American actor George Clooney—who emerged in the 1990s as a popular leading man, known for his good looks and versatility, and who later became a respected director and screenwriter—was born. Sort fact from fiction in our actor quiz

© 2009 Paramount Pictures; all rights reserved

1957

I Love Lucy

The last episode of I Love Lucy aired; the hugely popular show, which starred Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, was considered one of TV’s landmark sitcoms. Take our I Love Lucy quiz

MPI/Archive Photos/Getty Images

1954

Roger Bannister

Roger Bannister of Britain became the first athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes. How much do you know about track and field?

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

1953

Tony Blair

British Labour Party leader Tony Blair, who in 1997 became the youngest British prime minister since 1812, was born. Test your knowledge of British culture and politics

© Crown copyright

1942

Corregidor Island

The American garrison on Corregidor Island, under the command of General Jonathan M. Wainwright, surrendered to Japanese invaders after a 27-day standoff during World War II. Do you know your World War battles?

U.S. Department of Defense

1931

Willie Mays

American baseball star Willie Mays was born in Westfield, Alabama. How much do you know about baseball?

© Jerry Coli/Dreamstime.com

1915

Citizen Kane

American motion-picture actor and director Orson Welles was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Test your knowledge of movies

Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures, a division of RKO General; photograph from the Museum of Modern Art/Film Stills Archive, New York

1915

Babe Ruth

American baseball player Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run; he finished his career with 714 homers, a record that stood until 1974. See where Babe Ruth ranks on our list of the 10 greatest baseball players of all time

UPI/Bettmann Archive

1882

Chinese immigration

U.S. President Chester A. Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first and only major federal legislation to explicitly suspend immigration for a specific nationality. Test your knowledge of American history and politics

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

1877

Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse, a leader in the Sioux resistance to European Americans’ invasion of the northern Great Plains, surrendered in Nebraska. Take our quiz about Native American history

Mike Nelson—EPA/Shutterstock.com

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Today in History

  • 1975 Junko Tabei becomes the first woman to conquer Mount Everest

The ascent by the Japanese adventurer came 22 years after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to reach the summit.

  • 1966 In China, the Cultural Revolution begins

The publication of the May 16 notification marks the beginning of the political campaign, which was initiated by Mao Zedong and lasted ten years. Its objective was to strengthen communism by removing capitalist, traditional and cultural elements from Chinese society.

  • 1960 Theodore Maiman fires the first functional laser

The American physicist’s invention, an advancement of earlier research by scientists in the U.S. and the Soviet Union, was patented in 1967.

  • 1929 The Oscars are awarded for the first time

The first Academy Awards were presented at a private dinner with about 270 attendees. Today, it is the world’s most important entertainment awards ceremony.

  • 1919 Albert Cushing Read takes off on the first transatlantic flight in history

The crossing from New York State, USA to Lisbon, Portugal on a Curtiss NC-4 flying boat took 19 days.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,

May 16

  • 1966 Janet Jackson

American singer-songwriter, producer, dancer, actress

  • 1953 Pierce Brosnan

Irish/American actor, singer, producer

  • 1919 Liberace

American singer, pianist, actor

  • 1905 Henry Fonda

American actor, singer, producer

  • 1831 David Edward Hughes

Welsh/American scientist, co-invented the microphone

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,

May 16

  • 2012 Maria Bieşu

Moldovan opera singer

  • 1990 Jim Henson

American puppeteer, director, producer, founded The Company

  • 1990 Sammy Davis, Jr.

American actor, singer, dancer

  • 1977 Modibo Keïta

Malian politician, 1st President of Mali

  • 1953 Django Reinhardt

Belgian guitarist, composer

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Top three deadliest wars:

  1. World War II | 1939 - 1945 | ~60,000,000 deaths
  2. An Lushan Rebellion | 755 AD - 763 AD | ~40,000,000 deaths
  3. Taiping Rebellion | 1850 - 1864 | ~20,000,000 deaths

Top three deadliest battles:

  1. Siege of Leningrad | 1941 - 1944 | 1,000,000 deaths
  2. Battle of Stalingrad | 1942 - 1943 | 633,000 deaths
  3. Siege of Baghdad | 1258 - 1258 | 200,000 deaths
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Today in History

  • 2009 The Sri Lankan Civil War ends

The 25-year conflict between the government and the separatist Tamil Tigers had claimed up to 100,000 lives. It ended with the Tigers’ defeat.

  • 1980 Mount St. Helens erupts

The eruption killed 57 people. A large part of the previously cone-shaped volcano was replaced by a massive crater; its summit is now some 1300 feet (400 meters) lower than before the eruption.

  • 1927 45 people die in the United States’ worst school massacre

In the Bath school disaster, a disgruntled school board member set off several bombs at the Bath Consolidated School and other locations in Michigan.

  • 1848 The first German National Assembly gathers in Frankfurt

The assembly constituted the first freely elected parliament of Germany. It produced a constitution that provided the basis for today’s constitution of Germany (Grundgesetz).

  • 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte is appointed Emperor of the French

Even today, the French leader, a native of Corsica, is widely known for his successful military campaigns - and his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,

May 18

  • 1920 Pope John Paul II

  • 1912 Perry Como

American singer, actor

  • 1897 Frank Capra

Italian/American director, producer, screenwriter

  • 1895 Augusto César Sandino

Nicaraguan rebel leader

  • 1868 Nicholas II of Russia

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,

May 18

  • 2004 Elvin Jones

American drummer

  • 1955 Mary McLeod Bethune

American educator, activist

  • 1911 Gustav Mahler

Austrian composer

  • 1909 Isaac Albéniz

Spanish pianist, composer

  • 1799 Pierre Beaumarchais

French playwright

Roger Ailes

American television producer and political consultant Roger Ailes—who was a highly influential figure in the Republican Party, especially as the founding president of the Fox News Channel (1996–16)—died at age 77. Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about famous Americans

© Fox News Network, LLC

2012

Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook, an American company offering online social networkingservices, held its initial public offering, which raised $16 billion. Test your knowledge of tech companies

Justin Sullivan—Getty Images News

2004

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American baseball player Randy Johnson became the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game, for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Atlanta Braves. Take our quiz about America’s favourite pastime

2001

scene from Shrek

The comedy Shrek—with voices provided by Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, among others—had its nationwide release in the United States; it went on to become the first movie to win the Academy Award for best animated feature. How much do you know about the Academy Awards?

© 2001 DreamWorks LLC

1974

Flag of India

India detonated a nuclear weapon in the Rajasthan desert. Sort fact from fiction in our India quiz

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

1956

Lhotse I

Swiss climbers Fritz Luchsinger and Ernest Reiss made the first ascent of the Lhotse I mountain in the Himalayas. How much do you know about mountains?

Ted Kerasote/Photo Researchers

1953

Chuck Yeager and Jacqueline Cochran

American aviator Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier. Take our quiz about early aviation

Courtesy Air Force Flight Test Center History Office/Air Force Link

1940

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Brussels fell to the invading German army in World War II and was subjected to harsh terms of occupation. Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about wartime Germany

1933

Watts Bar hydroelectric dam

The U.S. government established the Tennessee Valley Authority to control floods and produce electrical power along the Tennessee River and its tributaries. Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about rivers

Tennessee Valley Authority

1899

Permanent Court of Arbitration

The first of a series of international conferences that produced the Hague Convention began at The Hague in the Netherlands.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

1896

Plessy v. Ferguson judgment

The U.S. Supreme Court released its decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, and the judgment advanced the controversial “separate but equal” doctrine for assessing the constitutionality of racial segregation laws. Read about 10 milestones in U.S. civil rights history

National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1883

Walter Gropius

German architect and educator Walter Gropius, who exerted a major influence on the development of modern architecture while serving as director of the Bauhaus (1919–28), was born in Berlin. Sort fact from fiction in our art and architecture quiz

Erich Hartmann/Magnum Photos

1860

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln became the Republican candidate for the U.S. presidency on the third ballot at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Test your knowledge of Abraham Lincoln

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (Digital file no. 3a53289)

1642

Montreal

Montreal was founded by Paul de Chomedey, sieur (lord) de Maisonneuve.

But most importantly:

2001

scene from Shrek

The comedy Shrek—with voices provided by Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, among others—had its nationwide release in the United States; it went on to become the first movie to win the Academy Award for best animated feature. How much do you know about the Academy Awards?

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guess whos gonna study an ancient egyptian language (me) !!!
Its called Demotic (no not demonic) and it was a ancient Egyptian language derived from hieroglyphs, but also did coexist with it, as demotic was used for governmental texts and…spells… and hieroglyphs was used for religious texts.
Demotic then branched to Coptic, which I can read fluently at this point, but I really wanna learn it to scare people lol…
What or who is 'demotic'? - Quora
it looks like arabic but it isnt!! it was taken from hieroglyphs

its also seen in the Rosetta stone, the Rosetta stone has 3 languages written,
Hieroglyphs, Greek (maybe some Coptic) and then Demotic! its the most modern translator we have for these languages egyptologist still use today
Rosetta Stone - World Archaeology
if you can look close up you can see it…

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the middle ages…
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZDe9DCx7Wk ]

I love the Punic Wars because:

  • it truly shows Roman perseverance
  • it’s admirable (because of the aforementioned reason)
  • it’s fun to learn about
  • I can annoy my friend with questions about the Punic Wars

Ok but like, the Romans fought for 23 years and even when they had lost hundreds of thousands of men and thousands of ships, they kept fighting. When the Romans realized they needed a navy, they built one from scratch faster than it takes me to make a game. When the Romans realized they had been fighting for years at one city, they literally did not care. So ya that’s fun

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