Worldcrunch
Updated Oct. 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in the Black Power Salute during the 200-meter medal ceremony at the Olympics on this day in 1968. What was the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics? During the medal ceremony for the 200-meter sprint at the […]
Updated Oct. 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. The execution of Dutch exotic dancer Mara Hari, a World War I spy, happened on this day in 1917. Who was Mata Hari? Mata Hari, whose real name was Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, was a Dutch dancer and courtesan born on August 7, 1876, in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. She became […]
Updated Oct. 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Thirty years ago on this day, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. Why were Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, and Shimon Peres awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, and Shimon Peres were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in […]
Updated Oct. 10, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council on this day in 1962. What was Pope John XXIII’s significance in the Roman Catholic Church’s history? Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, was the 261st Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, serving from 1958 until his death in […]
Updated Oct. 10, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. Some 3,500 women were the first since the Islamic Revolution to be allowed to attend a football match in Iran for a World Cup qualifier in Tehran on this day in 2019. What was the first sporting match attended by women in post-Revolution Iran? In October 2019, Iran […]
Updated Oct. 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. North Korea conducted its first nuclear weapon test on this day in 2006. The test marked a significant development in North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. What was North Korea’s first type of nuclear weapon it tested? The exact nature of the device tested has been a subject of debate […]
Updated Oct. 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. The Kashmir earthquake struck on this day in 2005, with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale. Where did the Kashmir earthquake occur? The earthquake primarily affected the Kashmir region, which includes parts of India, Pakistan, and even Afghanistan. The epicenter was located near the town of […]
Updated October 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. The first Pope to visit the United States was Pope Paul VI happened on this day in 1965, and had significant political and religious implications. Who was Pope Paul VI? Pope Paul VI, born Giovanni Battista Montini, was the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1963 to […]
Updated October 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. O.J. Simpson’s acquittal in the murder trial of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman on this day in 1995 was a highly publicized and controversial event in American legal history. Who is O.J. Simpson and what were the charges against him? O.J. Simpson, was a former professional football […]
Updated October 2, 2024 at 10:45 a.m. Josephine Baker’s debut in Paris on this day in 1925, was a pivotal moment in her career and played a significant role in her rise to international stardom. How did Josephine Baker start in Paris? On October 2, 1925, Josephine Baker made her debut at the Théâtre des […]
Updated October 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. The Las Vegas shooting, also known as the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting, occurred on this day in 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowd of concert goers from a hotel room in Las Vegas, Nevada. What happened during the Las Vegas shooting? A gunman named […]
Updated September 30, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. On this day in 1938, the Munich Agreement, (also known as the Treaty of Munich) was signed by Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Édouard Daladier and Neville Chamberlain. What was the Treaty of Munich? The Treaty of Munich, also known as the Munich Agreement, was an agreement signed on […]
Updated September 26, 2024 at 10:50 a.m. On this day in 1988, The National League for Democracy was founded in Yangon, Myanmar. How did the NLD come into existence? In 1988, Myanmar‘s pro-democracy uprising, known as the 8888 Uprising, began. Citizens took to the streets to protest against the authoritarian rule of the military junta. […]
Updated September 26, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. On this day in 1980, the Oktoberfest terrorist attack happened in Munich. What was the Oktoberfest terrorist attack? The Oktoberfest terror attack was a deadly bombing that occurred during the opening ceremony of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany. The attack was carried out by Gundolf Köhler, […]
Updated September 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. On this day in 1964, the Mozambican War of Independence against Portugal began. What was the Mozambican War of Independence? The Mozambican War of Independence was a protracted armed conflict that took place from 1964 to 1974 in the Portuguese colony of Mozambique. It was fought between the […]
Updated September 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. On this day in 1988, Barbara C Harris of Mass became the first woman to be elected as an Episcopal bishop. What was Barbara C. Harris’ background before becoming a bishop? Before becoming a bishop, Barbara C. Harris had a diverse background. She was born in Philadelphia and had a […]
Updated September 23, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. On this day in 2017, women were allowed to enter the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first time ever. The women attended the stadium’s 87th anniversary celebrations and a qualifying World Cup match. Were there any restrictions or conditions for women attending the […]
Updated Sept. 20, 2024 at 10:40 a.m. On this day in 1932, the famous photo was taken that captured construction workers having lunch while sitting on a steel beam 850 feet above the ground during the construction of the Rockefeller Center in New York City. Who took the “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photograph? The photograph […]
Updated Sept. 19, 2024 at 10:40 a.m. On this day in 1985, an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale struck Mexico City. What was the toll of the 1985 earthquake on Mexico City? The estimated death toll ranged from around 10,000 to 30,000 people. Tens of thousands more were injured, and […]
Updated Sept. 18, 2024 at 11:20 a.m. Jimi Hendrix died on this day in 1970 from an accidental drug overdose. He was found unconscious in his London apartment and was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the hospital. Who was Jimi Hendrix? Jimi Hendrix was a renowned American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is […]
Updated September 17, 2024 at 10:50 a.m. The Battle of Antietam was a significant engagement fought during the American Civil War which took place on this day in 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, along the banks of the Antietam Creek. It was one of the bloodiest single-day battles in American history. Who were the main participants […]
Updated September 12, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. The Lascaux cave paintings were accidentally discovered by four teenagers on this day in 1940. Marcel Ravidat, Jacques Marsal, Georges Agnel, and Simon Coencas stumbled upon the entrance to the cave while searching for their dog. They later informed local authorities, leading to the exploration and subsequent recognition […]
Updated Sept. 11, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. The September 11 attacks, also known as 9/11, happened on this day in 2001. They targeted the United States, with the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., being the primary targets. How many planes were involved in the 9/11 attacks? Four […]
Updated September 10, 2024 at 10:50 a.m. Ten years ago on this day, the first Invictus Games opened at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, which had been the site of the 2012 Summer Olympics. The Games lasted from September 10 to 14. What are the Invictus Games? The Invictus Games is an international sporting […]
Updated Sept. 09, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. On this day 70 years ago, the famous image of Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate with her white dress was taken on the set of The Seven Year Itch. This iconic image has left a lasting impact on pop culture. What is the famous picture of Marilyn […]
? Ahoj!* Welcome to Thursday, where Boris Johnson faces rising calls to resign, an ex Syrian colonel is convicted in a landmark torture trial, and the U.S. finds loopholes in the Gruyère cheese label. We also mark 10 years since the Costa Concordia disaster off the coast of Tuscany. [*Czech] SIGN UP This is […]
Updated Sept. 5, 2024 at 09:40 a.m The Munich Olympics terrorist attack happened on this day in in 1972. What was the Munich Olympics terrorist attack? The Munich Olympics terrorist attack was a tragic event that began in the early morning hours of September 5, 1972, when eight Palestinian militants entered the Olympic Village in […]
Updated September 4, 2024 at 10:40 a.m. Elizabeth Eckord walked to her first day of school at Little Rock High on this day in 1957. Who is Elizabeth Eckford? Elizabeth Eckford is one of the “Little Rock Nine,” a group of African American students who played a pivotal role in the desegregation of Little Rock […]
Updated August 22, 2024 at 11:20 a.m. Sweden switched to driving on the right-hand side of the road on this day in 1967. What is “Dagen H”? “Dagen H” (H Day) refers to the day when Sweden switched its road traffic to driving on the right-hand side. It was a major historical event aimed at […]
Updated August 22, 2024 at 11:50 a.m. The Alan Kurdi photograph was taken on this day in 2015. What is the Alan Kurdi picture by Nilüfer Demir? The Alan Kurdi picture is a photograph taken by Turkish photojournalist Nilüfer Demir. It depicts the lifeless body of two-year-old Syrian toddler Alan Kurdi lying face down on […]
Updated August 30, 2024 at 11:20 a.m. American business magnate Warren Buffet was born on this day in 1930. Who is Warren Buffet? Warren Buffett is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate holding company. Buffett is often regarded as one of the […]
Updated July 23, 2024 at 11:50 a.m. Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. on this day in 2005. What was Hurricane Katrina? Hurricane Katrina was a Category 3 hurricane at the time of its landfall, with sustained winds of around 125 miles per hour (200 kilometers per hour). It was […]
Updated July 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on this day in 1963. Who was Martin Luther King Jr.? Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister, activist, and leader in the civil rights movement. He led peaceful protests and advocated for nonviolent resistance […]
Updated Aug. 27, 2024 at 12:20 pm Twenty years ago, Argentina beat the star-studded U.S. basketball team at the Athens Olympics in a major upset. Who were the key players for Argentina in the game against the United States? Several key players contributed to Argentina’s victory against the United States, including Manu Ginóbili, Andrés Nocioni, […]
Updated Aug. 26, 2024 at 11:20 am Mother Teresa was born on this day in 1910. Who was Mother Theresa? Mother Teresa, born as Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje (now North Macedonia), was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation that provided care and assistance to […]
Updated Aug. 25, 2024 at 11:45 am Happy 55 to German supermodel Claudia Schiffer, who was born on this day in 1970. Who is Claudia Schiffer? Claudia Schiffer is a supermodel who was born in Rheinberg, Germany. She rose to fame in the 1990s when she was discovered by a modeling agent in a nightclub […]
Updated Aug. 24, 2024 at 2:45 pm An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude hit Italy on this day in 2016. Where did the earthquake strike in Italy? The earthquake struck central Italy — in particular the regions of Lazio, Marche, Umbria, and Abruzzo. The epicenter was near the town of Accumoli in the province of Rieti. […]
Updated August 23, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. Italian anarchists Ferdinando Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed on this day in 1927. Why were Sacco and Vanzetti executed? Sacco and Vanzetti were executed for the murder and robbery of a shoe factory paymaster and his guard in South Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1920. However, their guilt […]
Updated August 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Michael Collins, Commander in Chief of the Irish Free State, is shot in an ambush on this day in 1922. What was Michael Collins’ role in Irish history? Michael Collins was a key figure in Irish history. He played a significant role in the Irish War of Independence […]
Updated August 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Brazil reports fires burning in the Amazon Rainforest at unprecedented rate on this day in 2019. How extensive were the fires in the Amazon rainforest? The fires in the Amazon rainforest of 2019 were widespread, affecting multiple countries in the region. The exact extent of the fires varied, […]