“To study history means submitting yourself to chaos, but nevertheless retaining your faith in order and meaning.” Herman Hesse, German writer and poet
1. Jean-Pierre Christin invented the Celsius thermometer
On this day in history in 1743 Jean-Pierre Christin invented the Celsius thermometer. The centigrade temperature scale, which is based on the freezing and boiling point of water, is used by most countries around the world. Exceptions include the United State, Belize, and Palau.
2. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk set off the Turkish War of Independence
On this day in history in 1919 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk set off the Turkish War of Independence. The fight against the allies of the Triple Entente ended some four years later. The Republic of Turkey was founded, and Atatürk became its first President.
3. The North Vietnamese Army began organizing the Ho Chi Minh trail
On this day in history in 1959 The North Vietnamese Army began organizing the Ho Chi Minh trail. According to the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), the system of supply routes used by the “Vietcong” was “one of the greatest achievements of military engineering of the 20th century.”
4. Marilyn Monroe performed her famous rendition of Happy Birthday
On this day in history in 1962 Marilyn Monroe performs her famous rendition of Happy Birthday. Monroe gave her sultry performance, which was to be her last, at a party for U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The two are believed to have been engaged in an affair.
5. Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail was published
On this day in history in 1963 Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail was published. King used the open letter to defend his nonviolent resistance against racism and segregation. It became one of the central texts for the civil rights movement in the United States.
