Worldcrunch
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 […]
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 30, 2024 at 4 p.m. U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot on this day in 1981, while leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Who shot Ronald Reagan? John Hinckley Jr. shot Ronald Reagan, along with three other people, in an assassination attempt aiming to impress the actress Jodie Foster. How […]
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 […]
Updated March 28, 2024 at 12:40 p.m. On this day in 1979, a nuclear reactor at the Three Mile Island power plant in Pennsylvania experienced a partial meltdown due to a combination of equipment malfunctions, operator errors, and design flaws. As a result, radioactive gas was released into the environment, and the plant had to […]
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 24, 2024 at 12:20 p.m. The oil tanker, Exxon Valdez, ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, on this day in 1989, causing a massive oil spill. The captain, Joseph Hazelwood, had left the bridge, leaving an inexperienced third mate in charge, who then failed to properly maneuver the ship. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Updated March 12, 2024 at 12:15 p.m. Stromae, the Belgian singer, rapper, and songwriter, was born on this day in 1985. Where is Stromae from? Stromae’s real name is Paul van Haver, and he was born and raised in Brussels, Belgium. His father was a Rwandan Tutsi named Pierre Rutare, and his Flemish mother is […]
Updated March 11, 2024 at 12:15 p.m. One of the deadliest earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan occurred on this day in 2011. Following the natural disaster, a nuclear accident occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. What caused the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan? The earthquake was caused by the movement of tectonic […]
Updated March 8, 2024 at 11 a.m. Raymonde de Laroche became the first woman to earn a pilot’s license on this day in 1910. [shortcode-Women-worldwide–Sign-up-box] Where was Raymonde de Laroche from? Raymonde de Laroche was born in Paris, France, in 1882. She first was a professional balloonist and had already set several records in that […]
Updated March 7, 2024 at 12:05 p.m. American poet and activist Amanda Gorman was born on this day in Los Angeles in 1998. Who is Amanda Gorman? Amanda Gorman gained widespread recognition after delivering her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. This poem reflects on […]
Updated March 6, 2024 at 12:45 p.m. The iconic photograph, now referred to as “Migrant Mother” was taken by American photographer and photojournalist Dorothea Lange during the Great Depression in 1936. Who is the subject of the “Migrant Mother” photograph? The subject of the photograph is Florence Owens Thompson, a migrant agricultural worker and mother […]
Updated March 5, 2024 at 12:25 p.m. This iconic photograph of Che Guevara was taken on this day in 1960 by Cuban photographer Alberto Korda. When was the famous photograph of Che Guevara taken? The photograph of Che Guevara was taken during a mass funeral for the victims of the La Coubre explosion in Havana, […]
Updated March 4, 2024 at 12:20 p.m. Vladimir Putin was re-elected as president of Russia on this day in 2012. Why was Putin’s re-election in 2012 controversial? Putin’s re-election in 2012 was controversial due to allegations of election fraud and voter intimidation. The opposition also claimed that the government used its control over the media […]
Updated February 26, 2025 at 05:00 p.m. It’s been 11 years since the iconic Oscars selfie posted March 3, 2014 during the 86th Academy Awards ceremony, featuring several high-profile celebrities. It captured the selfie craze, and the obsession with celebrity culture. Who took the 2014 Oscars selfie? The selfie was taken by Bradley Cooper, with […]
Updated March 2, 2024 at 11:55 a.m. The first test flight of the Anglo-French Concorde was conducted on this day in 1969. The test took place at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France. Who piloted the first test flight of the Concorde? The first test flight was piloted by French test pilot Andre Turcat and it lasted […]
Updated March 1, 2024 at 12:20 p.m. Javier Bardem was born on this day in 1969 in Las Palmas, Spain. He has gained international fame for his roles in films such as “No Country for Old Men,” “Skyfall,” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” What is Javier Bardem’s family background? Javier Bardem comes from a long line […]
Updated Feb. 28, 2024 at 1:15 p.m. On this day in 1986, Sweden’s Prime Minister Olof Palme was shot dead while he was walking home from a movie theater with his wife. Who was suspected of killing Olof Palme? The investigation into Palme’s murder has been widely debated and there are several theories about who […]
Updated Feb. 27, 2024 at 11:50 a.m. On this day in 1973, American Indian Movement members occupied the Wounded Knee village on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to protest the federal government’s treatment of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. The occupation lasted 71 days, and brought unprecedented attention to the plight of native […]
Updated Feb. 26, 2024 at 1:15 p.m. During the 89th Academy Awards ceremony on this day in 2017, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced “La La Land” as the winner of the Best Picture award instead of the actual winner “Moonlight.” How did the Oscars mix-up happen? The mistake happened when Beatty and […]
Updated Feb. 24, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. On this day two years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. Why did Russia invade Ukraine? Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine in a steep escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War. The campaign had been preceded by a Russian military buildup since early 2021 and numerous Russian demands for security […]
Updated Feb. 23, 2024 at 12:15 p.m. On this day in 1945, the American flag was raised at Iwo Jima to signal the capture of Mount Suribachi, the highest point on the island, by U.S. Marines during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The moment was captured in what is one of the most iconic war […]