I don’t know much about history and I wouldn’t give a nickel for all the history in the world. It means nothing to me. History is more or less bunk. It’s tradition. We don’t want tradition. We want to live in the present and the only history worth a tinker’s damn is the history we make today.”
Henry Ford, American industrialist
1. The Great Clock housing Big Ben started keeping time
On this day in history in 1859 The Great Clock housing Big Ben started keeping time. The clock at the top of Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the British Houses of Parliament is one of the world’s best-known timekeepers.
2. Werner von Siemens presented the world’s first electric locomotive
On this day in history in 1879 Werner von Siemens presented the world’s first electric locomotive. Von Siemens’ landmark invention was soon used in trams. 1881 saw the introduction of the world’s first electric tram in Berlin, Germany.
3. South Africa become an independent republic
On this day in history in 1961 South Africa became an independent republic. Following international criticism of the country’s Apartheid regime, it had to leave the Commonwealth of Nations. The system of racial segregation was gradually abolished in the early 1990s.
4. Deep Throat revealed himself
On this day in history in 2005 Deep Throat reveals himself. Former FBI agent Mark Felt admitted that he was the most important informant in the 1970’s Watergate scandal which uncovered the dirty tricks of the Nixon administration, ultimately leading to Nixon’s resignation.
5. The widest tornado ever recorded hit El Reno, Oklahoma
On this day in history in 2013 The widest tornado ever recorded hit El Reno, Oklahoma. The storm had a width of 4.2 km (2.6 mi). Nine people were killed as it swept over rural areas of Central Oklahoma.
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