“A historian ought to be exact, sincere and impartial, free from passion, unbiased by interest, fear, resentment or affection. And faithful to the truth, which is the mother of history, the preserver of great actions, the enemy of oblivion, the witness of the past, the director of the future.”
B. R. Ambedkar, Indian politician
1. Felix Mendelssohn’s Wedding March was used at a wedding for the first time
On this day in history in a1847 Felix Mendelssohn’s Wedding March was used at a wedding for the first time
Dorothy Carew and Tom Daniel were the first to use the iconic piece for their wedding ceremony. The event that made the work world famous was the wedding of Victoria, Princess Royal and Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858.
2. Italy became a parliamentary republic
On this day in history 1946 Italy became a parliamentary republic. The transition from a monarchy to today’s Italian Republic was effected by the favorable outcome of a referendum, in which 89 percent of Italians, also including women for the first time, took part.
3. Queen Elizabeth II was crowned
On this day in history in 1953 Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. The coronation in London’s Westminster Abbey was the first televised major international event in history. Elizabeth’s accession to the throne followed the death of her father, King George VI, 16 months previously.
4. Benno Ohnesorg was killed
On this day in history 1967 Benno Ohnesorg is killed. A police officer shot the unarmed German student at a demonstration against the state visit of the controversial Shah of Iran. It later ruled that the shooting was not an act of self-defense. The event was pivotal for the foundation of the terrorist organization “Movement 2 June”.
5. Pope John Paul II became the first pontiff to visit a communist country
On this day in history in 1979 Pope John Paul II became the first pontiff to visit a communist country. Millions of spectators lined the streets of Warsaw as the Pope began his nine-day tour of his native Poland.
