Worldcrunch
Updated April 16, 2024 at 11:40 a.m. On this day in 2014, the MV Sewol ferry capsized off the coast of South Korea, killing 295 people, most of whom were high school students. What caused the MV Sewol to capsize? The ferry was carrying 476 passengers, including 325 students from Danwon High School in Ansan, […]
Updated April 15, 2024 at 12:20 p.m. The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris caught fire on this day five years ago. What caused the fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral? The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have started accidentally, possibly due to an electric short circuit or a cigarette that was not properly extinguished. How much damage did the fire cause to the Notre-Dame Cathedral? The fire caused significant damage to the cathedral, destroying the roof and spire and damaging many of the interior and exterior elements. However, the structure of the cathedral […]
Updated April 14, 2024 at 5 p.m. The Titanic hit the iceberg at approximately 11:40 p.m. on this day in 1912. How did the Titanic hit the iceberg? The Titanic hit the iceberg due to a combination of factors, including poor visibility, the lack of adequate warning systems, and the speed at which the ship was traveling. The crew also failed to take evasive action until it was too late. What damage did the iceberg cause to the Titanic? The iceberg caused significant damage to the Titanic, opening up a series of holes in the ship’s hull that allowed water […]
Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament on this day in 1997. He was 21 years old at the time.
Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet Air Force pilot and cosmonaut became the first human ever to travel into outer space on this day in 1961.
April 15 – April 21, 2024
Uncomfortable in strip clubs managed by men, the artists perform in their own spaces, where they have done away with quotas, fines and verbal abuse — and protect each other.
The trial of Adolf Eichmann began on this day in 1961, in Jerusalem, Israel. Eichmann was captured by Israeli agents in Argentina in 1960 and brought to Israel to stand trial.
Updated April 10, 2024 at 12:35 p.m. On this day in 2010, the Polish Air Force Tu-154M crashed near the Russian city of Smolensk. The crash killed all 96 people on board, including Polish President Lech Kaczyński and many other high-ranking officials. What was the cause of the Polish Air Force Tu-154M crash near Smolensk? […]
Rafah’s modern tragedy began with the U.S.-brokered Camp David peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The misery brought on then peaked in 2014 with the forced displacement of the Egyptian city’s residents, and is now suffering more than ever as Israel vows to invade Rafah as part of its war on Gaza.
Updated April 9, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. The photos of the Saddam Hussein statue being toppled were iconic images of the fall of the regime of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein on this day in 2003. U.S. forces entered Baghdad and toppled a statue of Saddam Hussein in Firdos Square and the image of the statue […]
Updated April 8, 2024 at 11:45 a.m. This famous picture taken during the Sudanese revolution in 2019 depicts Alaa Salah, a young Sudanese woman, standing on top of a car and leading a crowd of protesters. Who is Alaa Salah? Alaa Salah is a Sudanese student and activist who became an icon of the Sudanese […]
Updated April 7, 2024 at 12:25 p.m. The Rwandan genocide started on this day in 1994, and lasted for approximately 100 days, during which as many as 1 million people were killed. What was the Rwandan genocide? The Rwandan genocide was a mass slaughter of Tutsi and moderate Hutu civilians in Rwanda that occurred over […]
Updated April 6, 2024 at 10:10 a.m. The first modern Olympic Games took place on this day 1896, in Athens, Greece. Why were the first modern Olympic Games held? The first modern Olympic Games were held to revive the ancient Greek tradition of athletic competition and promote international understanding and goodwill. How many countries participated […]
Updated April 5, 2024 at 1:05 p.m. The Siege of Sarajevo was a military siege of the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, that began on this day in 1992 during the Bosnian war. Who was involved in the Siege of Sarajevo? The siege was carried out by the Army of Republika Srpska, which was […]
April 8 – April 14, 2024
Updated April 4, 2024 at 12:50 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on this day in 1968. Where was Martin Luther King Jr. when he was assassinated? Martin Luther King Jr. was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, when he was shot. Who assassinated Martin Luther King Jr.? James […]
Updated April 3, 2024 at 1:45 p.m. The Marshall Plan was signed into law by U.S. President Harry Truman on this day, 1948. What was the Marshall Plan? The Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was a plan proposed by U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall in 1947 to provide economic aid […]
Updated April 2, 2024 at 12:20 p.m. Pope John Paul II died on this day in 2005, at the age of 84. Why was Pope John Paul II such a surprising choice? When Polish-born Karol Wojtyla was was elected on October 16, 1978, John Paul II became the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. What […]
Updated April 1, 2024 at 11 a.m. The Spanish Civil War officially ended on this day in 1939, when General Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces declared victory over the Republican forces. What was the outcome of the Spanish Civil War? The war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and widespread destruction in […]
Updated March 29, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. The Louvre pyramid was inaugurated on this day in 1989, after nearly four years of construction. Who designed the Louvre pyramid? The Louvre pyramid was designed by the Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei. The pyramid is made of glass and steel, and consists of 603 rhombus-shaped and 70 triangular […]
April 1 – April 7, 2024
Updated March 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. American filmmaker, screenwriter, and actor Quentin Tarantino was born on this day in 1963. Has Quentin Tarantino won any awards for his films? Quentin Tarantino has won numerous awards for his films, including two Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay for Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained. His films […]
Updated March 26, 2024 at 12:15 p.m. Signed on this day in 1979, the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty was a historic agreement, formally ending the state of war between the two nations and established diplomatic and economic relations. What was in the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty? The peace deal included provisions for Israel to withdraw its military […]
Updated March 25, 2024 at 12:40 p.m. Aretha Franklin was born on this day in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. The American singer, songwriter, and pianist was often referred to as the “Queen of Soul”. What are some of Aretha Franklin’s most famous songs? Some of Aretha Franklin’s most famous songs include “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” […]
Updated March 23, 2024 at 12:40 p.m. On this day in 2021, a large container ship called the Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, obstructing the waterway and causing a major traffic jam of ships waiting to pass through. The obstruction lasted for six days. What caused the Ever Given to run aground? […]
Updated March 22, 2024 at 12:25 p.m. The Brussels suicide attacks took place on this day in 2016, at the Zaventem airport and the Maalbeek metro station. A total of 32 people were killed and more than 300 others were injured in the attacks. Who carried out the Brussels attacks? The attacks were carried out […]
March 25 – March 31, 2024
Updated March 21, 2024 at 11:40 a.m. Barack Obama visited Cuba on this day in 2016 as part of his efforts to improve relations between the United States and Cuba. The visit was the first by a U.S. president in nearly 90 years and came after the two countries had re-established diplomatic relations in 2015. […]
Updated March 20, 2024 at 11:30 a.m The United States invaded Iraq on this day in 2003 under the pretext of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The Bush administration argued that Saddam Hussein’s regime posed a threat to U.S. national security and to the stability of the Middle East. However, no WMDs were […]
Updated March 19, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. The meeting between West Germany’s Willy Brandt and East Germany’s Willi Stoph on this day in 1970, was part of Brandt’s “Ostpolitik” (Eastern policy), which aimed to improve relations between West Germany and East Germany. Who were the leaders of East and West Germany in the famous 1970 […]
Updated March 18, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. The Kronstadt rebellion was a revolt by sailors and soldiers of the Kronstadt naval fortress in Russia on this day in 1921. They were protesting against the Bolshevik government and demanding greater political freedoms, the release of political prisoners, and an end to the forced requisition of grain […]
Updated March 16, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. Crimea voted on this day in 2014 in a controversial referendum to secede from Ukraine to join Russia. When was the Crimean referendum held? The referendum was held after the ousting of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the subsequent political crisis in Ukraine. The referendum was controversial as […]
Updated March 17, 2024 at 11:55 a.m. Golda Meir became the Prime Minister of Israel on this day in 1969, following the resignation of Prime Minister Levi Eshkol. She was the first woman to hold the position in Israel and one of the few female leaders in the world at the time. Who was Golda […]
Despite legal prohibitions, several African countries continue to suffer high rates of child marriage. Now, tribal leaders are teaming up with civil society, taking as many routes as necessary to find solutions.
March 18 – March 24, 2024
Updated March 15, 2024 at 10:50 a.m. The terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand involving a lone gunman who opened fire on worshippers. 51 people are killed and 50 others injured at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre took place on this day in 2019. Who was responsible for […]
Iran’s exiled and surprisingly popular crown prince Reza Pahlavi is the son of the last shah, and is uniquely positioned to help unite opponents against the country’s brutal regime. But he can only do that by reaffirming his royal status, rather than responding on calls to renounce his title.
Updated March 14, 2024 at 12:45 p.m. Arthur Sasse’s iconic portrait of Einstein sticking his tongue out was taken on this day in 1951, at Einstein’s 72nd birthday party. Who was Arthur Sasse? Arthur Sasse was a photographer for the UPI news agency, known for his work covering celebrities and political figures. The photo of […]
Updated March 13, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. Pope Francis was elected on this day in 2013, becoming the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. What are Pope Francis stands? He is known for his progressive views on social and economic issues, as well as his efforts to promote […]