On This Day In History
This day 49 years ago – 10 May 1972 – a referendum was held on whether Ireland should enter the European Economy Community (EEC).
83.1% of voters supported the move, which Taoiseach Jack Lynch described as “a great tribute to our people's innately sound judgement.” pic.twitter.com/R5KvpIbnDI
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) May 10, 2021
#otd in 1984 the first animated 3D adventure computer game, King's Quest I, was released. It became Roberta Williams' biggest success. Williams, 'Queen of Adventure Games', had no computing background; she wrote games, with her husband programming. https://t.co/GpRuSZcKdu pic.twitter.com/DiDkcS5dsm
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) May 10, 2022
On this day in 1740, South Carolina barred enslaved Black people from learning to read, earning money, and gathering, and authorized white enslavers to whip and kill them for being "rebellious." To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/twhQH2S3KH
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) May 10, 2022
May 11th
330 Constantinople (Byzantium) becomes the capital of the Roman Empire
1189 Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and 100,000 crusaders depart Regensburg for the Third Crusade
1751 Pennsylvania Hospital founded by Dr. Thomas Bond and Benjamin Franklin, in Philadelphia
1995 More than 170 countries agree to extend the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty indefinitely and without conditions to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons [1]
2000 India's population officially reaches 1 billion - Astha Arora named India's billionth baby
Did You Know?
Waltz introduced into English ballrooms. Some observers consider it disgusting and immoral.
Today in History in 1812
Would You Believe?
British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons, London. Ironically, descendants of both later stand for the same seat in Parliament at the same time but neither win.
Today in History in 1812
This day 275 years ago - 11 May 1745 - the Battle of Fontenoy was fought.
The Irish Brigade helped secure a victory for the French Army against forces of the Pragmatic Allies.
The Irish Brigade are said to have shouted “Remember Limerick!” (though this is probably apocryphal). pic.twitter.com/YA6thQ08wp
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) May 11, 2020
#OTD in the year 973, Ælfthryth was crowned queen of England, as consort to her husband Edgar. Influential in the religious politics of the time, she helped to secure the throne for her son Æthelred, probably by ordering the murder of her stepson Edward. https://t.co/JjzA4sib58 pic.twitter.com/43QGCwoDIF
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) May 11, 2022
On this day in 2010, Arizona unconstitutionally banned public schools from teaching ethnic studies classes and books deemed to promote “racial resentment.” To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/CQUvK9dsT5
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) May 11, 2022
11 May 2001. Douglas Adams died (aged 49). He was best known as the author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which originated in 1978 as a BBC radio comedy before developing into a series of 5 books that sold more than 15 million copies altogether. pic.twitter.com/q0rpoCBvDu
— Prof Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 11, 2022
11 May 1985. 56 football spectators were killed in a fire at Bradford City Stadium (Valley Parade). It occurred during the 3rd Division Bradford City v Lincoln City match. The fire was caused by a lighted cigarette falling on paper rubbish that had accumulated under the stand. pic.twitter.com/Wk9kOvkYwr
— Prof Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 11, 2022
11 May 1981. Jamaican singer-song writer, Bob Marley, died (aged 36). He was one of the key pioneers of the development of reggae, and central to the increased visibility of Jamaican music and culture worldwide. pic.twitter.com/djWEstWhUc
— Prof Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) May 11, 2022
May 12th
1789 William Wilberforce makes his first major speech on abolition in the UK House of Commons, reasoning the slave trade morally reprehensible and an issue of natural justice
1940 Nazi blitzkrieg and conquest of France begins with the crossing of the Muese River
1943 Axis forces in North Africa surrender
2002 Former US President Jimmy Carter arrives in Cuba for a five-day visit with Fidel Castro becoming first President of the United States, in or out of office, to visit the island since Castro's 1959 revolution.
2008 Wenchuan earthquake, measuring 7.8 in magnitude occurs in Sichuan, China, killing over 87,000, injuring 374,643 and leaving homeless between 4.8 million and 11 million people
Did You Know?
Konrad Zuse presents the Z3, the world's first working programmable, fully automatic computer, in Berlin
Today in History in 1941
Would You Believe?
Crouching start 1st used in track and field by Charles Sherrill of Yale
Today in History in 1888
This day 79 years ago - 12 May 1940 - Éamon de Valera condemned the invasion of Belgium and Holland by Nazi Germany.
“...it would be unworthy of this small nation if, on an occasion like this, I did not utter our protest against the cruel wrong that has been done them.” pic.twitter.com/YbxhpaMNiK
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) May 12, 2019
In May 1924 Alfonsina Strada became the first and only female cyclist to compete in the 2,245-mile Giro d’Italia. In 1911 she had set a women's world record that remained unbroken for 26 years, on the bike that was her wedding present. In her first victory, at 13, she won a pig. pic.twitter.com/avGWJI7RO3
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) May 12, 2022
On this day in 1898, Louisiana adopted a new constitution that worked to exclude Black voters and jurors using restrictions like a poll tax and discriminatory literacy and property requirements. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. https://t.co/URp60ZT0sq
— Equal Justice Initiative (@eji_org) May 12, 2022
May 13th
1787 Arthur Phillip sets sails with 11 ships of criminals to Botany Bay, Australia
1830 Republic of Ecuador is founded, with Juan Jose Flores as president
1934 Great dustbowl storm sweeps across US prairies
1940 Winston Churchill says "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat" in his first speech as Prime Minister to British House of Commons
1981 Pope John Paul II is shot and critically wounded by Turkish gunman Mehemet Ali Agca in St Peter's Square, Vatican City
1989 Approx 2,000 students begin hunger strike in Tiananmen Square, China
Did You Know?
Cardinal Richelieu of France reputedly creates the table knife
Today in History in 1637
Would You Believe?
22 year old UK blogger halts spread of global ransomware cyber-attack by accidentally identifying "kill switch"
Today in History in 2017
This day 62 years ago - 13 May 1957 - a boycott of Protestant businesses began in the village of Fethard-on-Sea, Co. Wexford, when Protestant Sheila Cloney refused to raise her children in her husband's Catholic faith.
Éamon de Valera described the boycott as “deplorable.” pic.twitter.com/EEGPrwSyDE
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) May 13, 2019
#OTD 2021, Pam Duncan-Glancy @glasgowpam became the first permanent wheelchair user in the Scottish Parliament. 'I will work day and night to make sure that I am not the last,' she said. At the count, officials kept her out for 45 minutes, deciding which entrance she should use. pic.twitter.com/pwWb0CCrYs
— On This Day She (@OnThisDayShe) May 13, 2022