“If you don’t know history, it’s as if you were born yesterday. If you were born yesterday then any leader can tell you anything.”
Howard Zinn, American historian
1. Martin Luther faced charges for his revolutionary religious writings
On this day in history in 1521 Martin Luther faced charges for his revolutionary religious writings. The German monk was a leading figure of the Protestant Reformation. As a result of the hearing before the Diet of Worms, he was excommunicated and declared an outlaw.
2. A CIA-sponsored paramilitary group attempts to invade Cuba
On this day in history in 1961 A CIA-sponsored paramilitary group attempted to invade Cuba. The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed attempt to overthrow the Cuban government. The United States government had ordered the CIA to plan Fidel Castro’s overthrow.
3. Phnom Penh falls to the Khmer Rouge
On this day in history in 1975 Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge. The regime under “Brother number 1” Pol Pot tortured and killed several million people. Amongst the communists’ perceived enemies were intellectuals, anyone with a connection to the former government, and several ethnic minorities.
4. Mir Akbar Khyber’s assassination triggered a communist coup in Afghanistan
On this day in history in 1978 Mir Akbar Khyber’s assassination triggered a communist coup in Afghanistan.
The Communists introduced a series of reforms, such as equal rights for women and universal education. These achievements were undone soon after by the outbreak of several wars.
5. The world’s longest war ended without a single shot having been fired
In this day in history in 1986 The world’s longest war ended without a single shot having been fired. The state of war between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly had been extended for a total of 335 years by the lack of a peace treaty. Some historians doubt that war had ever been declared.
