-
Winter at Valley Forge
Washington's army camped in Valley Forge to monitor the British in Philadelphia. Soldiers faced cold, hunger, and disease due to poor supplies. Despite hardships, the army trained under Baron von Steuben, who taught discipline and tactics. By spring, the troops were stronger and more unified, marking a turning point in their effectiveness and morale. -
Execution of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI was tried and executed for treason by the guillotine. This marked the fall of the monarchy and the rise of the French Republic. -
Death of Tomás de Zumalacárregui
Zumalacárregui, the leading Carlist general during the First Carlist War, died after being wounded during the Siege of Bilbao. While leading an offensive to capture the liberal-held city, he was shot in the leg. The wound became infected—possibly worsened by poor medical care—and he died days later. His death was a major blow to the Carlist cause, as he was a brilliant strategist whose leadership had brought them many victories. -
Creation of the Phonograph
Invented by Thomas Edison in 1877, the phonograph was the first device that could both record and play back sound. Edison recorded sound by engraving vibrations onto a tinfoil-covered cylinder using a stylus. When played, the stylus retraced the grooves and reproduced the sound. This invention revolutionized communication and entertainment, laying the foundation for the modern music and recording industry. -
Jack the Ripper Murders
A series of brutal murders occurred in London’s Whitechapel district in 1888. At least five women, all believed to be sex workers, were killed and mutilated in a horrific way. The unknown killer, nicknamed Jack the Ripper, was never caught. His letters to the police and press fueled fear and fascination. The case remains one of history’s most famous unsolved crimes, highlighting the social struggles of Victorian London. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand was killed in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist and member of the group Black Hand. The attack was meant to protest Austro-Hungarian control over Bosnia. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and issued an ultimatum. When Serbia’s response failed to satisfy them, Austria-Hungary declared war—triggering World War I through a chain reaction of alliances. -
The Salt March
One of Gandhi’s most significant actions was the Salt March (also called the Salt Satyagraha) in March 1930. In protest of the British monopoly on salt production and the salt tax imposed on Indians, Gandhi led a 240-mile march to the coastal town of Dandi. There, he made salt from seawater, openly defying British law. This act of nonviolent resistance sparked widespread civil disobedience across India, gaining international attention and galvanizing the Indian independence movement. -
Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany
On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Hindenburg. Despite the Nazi Party not having an outright majority, they were the largest in the Reichstag. Backroom deals between conservatives and Hitler's allies, including former Chancellor Franz von Papen, led to this decision. Shortly after, the Reichstag Fire gave Hitler the opportunity to pass the Reichstag Fire Decree and later the Enabling Act, granting him dictatorial powers. -
Franco's Rise to Power
Franco's Dictatorship began after his victory in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). On April 1, 1939, Francisco Franco declared victory, having defeated the Republican forces. He established a military dictatorship, which lasted until his death in 1975. During this period, Franco ruled Spain as a totalitarian leader, suppressing opposition and promoting a nationalist, conservative ideology, closely aligned with fascist principles, but distinct in its own right. -
National Organization for Women is founded
The National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded on June 30, 1966. It was established by a group of feminist activists, including Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique. NOW aimed to bring attention to issues such as gender equality, workplace discrimination, and reproductive rights, working toward the full legal and social equality of women in the United States.