“The more I study history the more I realise how little mankind has changed. There are no new scripts, just different actors.”
Richard Paul Evans, American author
1. The Ottoman Empire began its systematic extermination of Armenians
On this day in history in 1915 The Ottoman Empire began its systematic extermination of Armenians. An estimate of 1 million people were killed in the Armenian Massacres during and after World War I. The event is considered one of the first genocides in modern history.
2. The Suez Canal reopened after the Suez Crisis
On this day in history in 1957 The Suez Canal reopened after the Suez Crisis. The conflict between Egypt on the one hand and France, the United Kingdom and Israel on the other, erupted in October 1956 when Egypt announced that the canal will be nationalized.
3. The Hubble Space Telescope was launched into Earth orbit
On this day in history in 1990 The Hubble Space Telescope was launched into Earth orbit. Unhindered by the impurities and distortions of Earth’s atmosphere, the 2.4 meter (7.9 feet) aperture telescope has delivered some of the most spectacular images of the far reaches of the Universe.
4. Joseph Ratzinger was inaugurated as Pope Benedict XVI
On this day in history in 2005 Joseph Ratzinger was inaugurated as Pope Benedict XVI. The German was considered a particularly conservative Pope – quite unlike his successor, Pope Francis.
5. 1129 people died in Bangladesh in the worst building collapse disaster in modern history
On this day in history in 2013, 1129 people died in Bangladesh in the worst building collapse disaster in modern history. The building was used by clothing factories producing garments for western markets, highlighting the disastrous working conditions in the industry.
