“What experience and history teach is that nations and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted upon any lessons they might have drawn from it.”
Georg Hegel, German philosopher
1. The Royal Air Force dambusters wrecked three German dams
On this day in history in 1943 The Royal Air Force dambusters wrecked three German dams. The RAF squadron used revolutionary bouncing bombs to avoid the torpedo nets protecting the dams. The audacious air raid was depicted in a 1954 war film.
2. The U.S. Supreme Court declared racially segregated public schools unconstitutional
On this day in history in 1954 The U.S. Supreme Court declared racially segregated public schools unconstitutional. Despite this landmark decision, de facto racial segregation was upheld for years in some areas of the United States.
3. Germany ratified the Treaty of Warsaw
On this day in history in 1972 Germany ratified the Treaty of Warsaw. Chancellor Willy Brandt signed the treaty, by which Germany gives up any territorial claims and guarantees the Oder-Neisse line as the valid border to Poland.
4. The WHO deleted homosexuality from its list of mental diseases
On this day in history in 1990 The WHO deleted homosexuality from its list of mental diseases. Precisely 14 years later, the first same-sex marriages in the United States were performed as Massachusetts became the first state to legalize them.
5. Ehud Barak became Prime Minister of Israel
On this day in history in 1999 Ehud Barak became Prime Minister of Israel. During his tenure, Barak attempted to revive the peace negotiations with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). However, his efforts were unsuccessful.
