History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” Winston Churchill, British writer and politician (1874-1965)
List of historical events
1. 100th Mission of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program
On this day in history in 2000, the 100th mission of NASA space shuttle program took place. Also known as the Space Transportation System or STS, the program was the first in the world to employ reusable spacecraft to take people into outer space. The first flight of the space shuttle fleet, which included Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour took place on April 12, 1981. The 100th flight was on space shuttle Discovery and the mission was designated STS-92. It was the 30th time Discovery had flown into space.
2. First American Woman walked on Space
On this day in history in 1984, Kathryn Dwyer Sullivan undertook a 3.5-hour long space walk with fellow astronaut David Leestma while on the Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-41-G. The spacewalk was performed to demonstrate the possibility of refueling a satellite. STS-41-G was the first flight mission to carry two women astronauts – Sullivan and Sally Ride.
Read also: October 10th this day in history
More events
3. The First Episode of Saturday Night Live Was Aired
On this day in history in 1975 A popular sketch comedy show, SNL, as it is popularly known, was initially called NBC’s Saturday Night, and it was created and produced by Lorne Michaels. The original cast members of the show, which usually opens with the slogan “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”, included Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Chevy Chase.
4. Wuchang Uprising Occurred
On this day in history in 1911 The Wuchang Uprising occurred in Wuchang, China, leading to the fall of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. This day is celebrated as an important holiday in Taiwan.
5. Second Boer War Began
On this day in history in 1899 The almost 3-year long conflict was fought between British and Irish troops and the Boers from the Transvaal and Orange Free State. The war began as a result of disagreements between the two sides over the ownership of gold and diamond mines in the region. The two countries were annexed by the British at the end of the war in May 1902. The word Boer is the Afrikaans word for farmer and it was used at that time to refer to Afrikaans-speaking settlers in the region.
