image of the day: D-Day Invasion

D-Day Invasion

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces under the overall command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower–shown here paying an eleventh-hour visit to the men of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division–landed on five beachheads in Normandy, France. In addition, U.S. and British airborne forces landed behind the German lines and U.S. Army Rangers scaled the cliffs at Pointe de Hoc. By the end of the day, the Allies had established a tenuous beachhead that would lead to an offensive that pinned Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich between two pincers–the Western Allies and the already advancing Soviets–accelerating the end of World War II.

Photo: National Archives

Today In History. What Happened This Day In History

SOMEWHERE IN TIME

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on this day in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened today in history.

Today in History
May 8

1450		Jack Cade’s Rebellion–Kentishmen revolt against King Henry VI.
1541		Hernando de Soto discovers the Mississippi River which he calls Rio de Espiritu Santo.
1559		An act of supremacy defines Queen Elizabeth I as the supreme governor of the church of England.
1794		The United States Post Office is established.
1846		The first major battle of the Mexican War is fought at Palo Alto, Texas.
1862		General ‘Stonewall’ Jackson repulses the Federals at the Battle of McDowell, in the Shenendoah Valley.
1864		Union troops arrive at Spotsylvania Court House to find the Confederates waiting for them.
1886		Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton invents Coca Cola.
1895		China cedes Taiwan to Japan under Treaty of Shimonoseki.
1904		U.S. Marines land in Tangier, North Africa, to protect the Belgian legation.
1919		The first transatlantic flight by a navy seaplane takes-off.
1933		Hahatma Gandhi begins a hunger strike to protest British oppression in India.
1940		German commandos in Dutch uniforms cross the Dutch border to hold bridges for the advancing German army.
1942		The Battle of the Coral Sea between the Japanese Navy and the U.S. Navy ends.
1945		The final surrender of German forces is celebrated as VE (Victory Europe) day.
1952		Allied fighter-bombers stage the largest raid of the war on North Korea.
1958		President Eisenhower orders the National Guard out of Little Rock as Ernest Green becomes the first black to graduate from an Arkansas public school.
1967		Boxer Muhammad Ali is indicted for refusing induction in U.S. Army.
1984		The Soviet Union announces it will not participate in Summer Olympics planned for Los Angeles.
1995		Jacques Chirac is elected president of France.
Born on May 8
1668		Alain Rene Lesage, French writer (The Adventures of Gil Blas, Turcaret).
1753		Miguel Hidalgo, Mexican nationalist.
1828		Jean Henri Dunant, Swiss philanthropist, founder of the Red Cross and YMCA, first recipient (jointly) of the Nobel Peace Prize.
1829		Louis Moreau Gottschalk, American pianist.
1884		Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States (1945-1953).
1895		Edmund Wilson, American critic and essayist.
1906		Roberto Rossellini, Italian film director.
1910		Mary Lou Williams, jazz pianist and composer.
1920		Sloan Wilson, American author (The man in the Gray Flannel Suit, A Summer Place).
1928		Theodore Sorenson, advisor to John F. Kennedy.
1930		Gary Snyder, beat poet.
1937		Thomas Pynchon, novelist (Gravity’s Rainbow).
1940		Peter Benchley, novelist (Jaws, The Deep).
1952		Beth Henley, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright (Crimes of the Heart).

– See more at: http://www.historynet.com/today-in-history#sthash.JwQmRBg9.dpuf

image of the day: V-E Day

V-E Day

After five years, World War II in Europe ended on May 7, 1945, when Colonel General Alfred Jodl, the last chief of staff of the German Army, signed the unconditional surrender at General Dwight D. Eisenhower‘s headquarters at Rheims, France. The next morning, President Harry S. Truman‘s radio announcement of V-E Day touched off celebrations in Allied areas throughout the world. Happy Stars and Stripes staffers in London are shown here reading copies of the surrender announcement as they roll off the presses. – See more at: http://www.historynet.com/picture-of-the-day#sthash.gX5PNcj2.dpuf

today’s birthday: Babe Ruth (1895)

Babe Ruth (1895)

George Herman Ruth, better known as Babe Ruth, was arguably the greatest player in the history of baseball. His ability to hit home runs helped turn the game into the American national pastime in the 1920s and 30s, and two of his records stood for more than 30 years. In 1936, Babe Ruth became the second player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. What is the origin of his nickname, “Babe”? More… Discuss

this day in the yesteryear: Private Slovik Executed for Desertion (1945)

Private Slovik Executed for Desertion (1945)

US Army private Eddie Slovik was executed for desertion in 1945. His was the first such execution after the Civil War and the only one of 49 World War II desertion death sentences to be carried out. Slovik was initially separated from his unit during an artillery attack. He rejoined them but deserted after being assigned to the front lines. He later confessed in writing that he would do it again and refused offers to destroy his note and return to battle. How old was Slovik when he died? More… Discuss

picture of the day: The Disputed Presidential Election of 1876

The Disputed Presidential Election of 1876

In 1876, Democrat Samuel Tilden ran for president against Republican Rutherford B. Hayes. On election night, it was clear that Tilden had won the popular vote, but it was also clear that votes in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina and Oregon were fraudulent because of voter intimidation. Republicans knew that if the electoral votes from these four states were thrown out, Hayes would win. The country hovered near civil war as both Democrats and Republicans claimed victory. Illustrator Thomas Nast drew this cartoon, Tilden or Blood, showing the Democrats threatening violence. On January 29, 1877, a highly partisan Electoral Commission, made up of eight Republicans and seven Democrats, was established by Congress to settle the issue. Under the terms of the Tilden-Hayes Election Compromise, Hayes became president and the Republicans agreed to remove the last Federal troops from Southern territory, ending Reconstruction.

Image: Harper’s Weekly

– See more at: http://www.historynet.com/picture-of-the-day#sthash.jZZlSWeO.dpuf

Related articles

• The unjustified fear of role reversal.
• Op-Ed Columnist: Hillary Versus History
• Today in History for Jan. 17
• Governors may not have edge in 2016 presidential race
• Governors may not have edge in 2016 presidential race
• KU student ‘definitely excited’ to see Obama
• Governors may not have edge in 2016 races

Today In History. What Happened This Day In History

Today In History. What Happened This Day In History

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on this day in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened today in history.

January 17

1601		The Treaty of Lyons ends a short war between France and Savoy.
1746		Charles Edward Stuart, the young pretender, defeats the government forces at the battle of Falkirk in Scotland.
1773		Captain James Cook becomes the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle.
1819		Simon Bolivar the “liberator” proclaims Columbia a republic.
1893		Queen Liliuokalani, the Hawaiian monarch, is overthrown by a group of American sugar planters led by Sanford Ballard Dole.
1852		At the Sand River Convention, the British recognize the independence of the Transvaal Board.
1912		Robert Scott reaches the South Pole only a month after Roald Amundsen.
1939		The Reich issues an order forbidding Jews to practice as dentists, veterinarians and chemists.
1945		The Red army occupies Warsaw.
1963		Soviet leader Khrushchev visits the Berlin Wall.
1985		A jury in New Jersey rules that terminally ill patients have the right to starve themselves.
Born on January 17
1504		Pius V, Pope 1566-1572.
1706		Benjamin Franklin, statesman, diplomat, scientist and inventor who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac.
1860		Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright and short story writer famous for The Seagull and Three Sisters.
1863		David Lloyd George, British Prime Minister during World War I.
1899		Al Capone, U.S. mobster known as “Scarface Al” who ran most of Chicago and the surrounding area.
1922		Betty White, actress; created memorable characters in TV sitcoms from the 1950s into the 21st century (Life with Elizabeth, Mary Tyler Moore, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland) and was a popular guest on TV games shows. At age 88 and a half she became the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live (2010).
1942		Muhammad Ali [Cassius Clay], U.S. boxer, “The Greatest,” who is the only three-time heavyweight champion..
1964		Michelle Robinson Obama, wife of US President Barack Obama.

– See more at: http://www.historynet.com/today-in-history#sthash.hxRqeQ1F.dpuf

word: bode

bode 

Definition:	(verb) To be an omen of.
Synonyms:	augur, portend, foreshadow, presage, foretell
Usage:	Her hesitation at his proposal boded trouble in their future. Discuss.

THIS DAY IN THE YESTERYEAR: THE GREAT BRINK’S ROBBERY (1950)

The Great Brink’s Robbery (1950)

After months of planning a heist on Boston’s Brink’s building, a band of 11 robbers put the plan in motion on January 17, 1950. Seven men dressed like Brink’s workers—but with masks and gloves—entered the building around 7 PM and left with $2.7 million about 30 minutes later. The robbers conspired not to touch the bulk of the money until the statute of limitations expired. It appeared to be the perfect crime, but the gang members were arrested in 1956. How did they get caught? More…

Related articles

• Today in History
• Today in History