Foundation of the African National Congress, 1912
In May 1910 the Union of South Africa came into being as unitary state comprising the former colonies of Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Orange River Colony, and the Transvaal.…
Balloonmania reached the United States, 1793
In the years following the Montgolfier brothers’ first successful balloon flights in 1783 ‘balloonmania’ swept across Europe. One of the greatest promoters of this new form of transport was the…
First underground railway opened, 1863
By the 1850s many of those commuting into central London by rail had to continue their journey by road because all but one of metropolis’ seven railway termini were outside…
East Pakistan renamed Bangladesh, 1972
As a result of their victory over the French during the Seven Years War, the British East India Company gained control of Bengal in 1757, and installed their own local…
Sicilian Revolution of Independence, 1848
1848 was a year of revolution around the World, but particularly in Europe. The first uprising of that tumultuous year started on 12th January in Sicily. The Congress of Vienna,…
Colored National Labor Union founded, 1869
The end of the American Civil War and the resultant emancipation of slaves produced economic changes, which brought about a growth in interest in trade unions. In 1866 Andrew Cameron…
The Human Be-In, 1967
During the afternoon and evening of 14th January 1967, over 20,000 people gathered at the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco in the largest expression of counter-cultural values…
The British Museum opened to the public, 1759
Over the course of his life the physician and president of the Royal Society, Sir Hans Sloane, built up a large collection of books, natural specimens, antiquities and other curiosities.…
Ivan the Terrible crowned Tsar, 1547
Born in August 1530, Ivan became the Grand Prince of Moscow at the age of three following the death of his father, Vasili III. Initially, his mother Elena Glinskaya acted…
King Naresuan killed Crown Prince Minchit Sra, 1591
Born in April 1555, Naresuan was the son of Prince Maha Thammaracha, who later became King Sanphet I of Ayutthaya (part of modern day Thailand). At that time the Burmese…