November 7th

On this day – 7th November 1520 – The start of Stockholm Bloodbath 

Stockholm Bloodbath lasted from the 7th to the 10th of November in 1520. The bloodbath began after Denmark, under King Christian II, successfully invaded Sweden. Christian II was crowned as the king of Sweden on November 4th. The invasion was a part of a larger dispute over Swedish membership in the “Kalmar Union” between the Scandinavian countries. Around 80 people were executed between the 7th and the 10th of November, most of them where from the clergy and the nobility in Sweden. They were executed although they had been promised a general amnesty from King Christian II, and most of the nobility had been imprisoned during a conference at the royal palace. Most of the executed were hanged, although some were beheaded as a punishment instead of. The Stockholm Bloodbath led to a revolt cumulating in the Swedish War of Liberation where Sweden again gained its independence.

November 3

On this day – November 3, 1957 – Sputnik2, with the dog Laika, was launched into orbit

Sputnik 2 was launched by the Soviet Union almost a month after Sputnik 1. Sputnik 2 is most famous because it contained a dog, Laika, who thereby became the first animal to enter the earth’s orbit. The spacecraft also contained a radio transmitter, a programming unit and a temperature-control system. Laika was a 6kg large dog of unknown breed. She had been selected out of 10 other possible dogs. Her compartment in the spacecraft was large enough for her to bot lie down and stand, and it was fitted with food and water. Sadly, Laika only survived a few hours in the spacecraft due to overheating. The spacecraft orbited the earth for 162 days. 

November 2

On this day –2. November 1936 – BBC launched the first regular high-resolution TV service 

BBC, The British Broadcasting Company, launched BBC Television Service in 1936. It was renamed to BBC TV in 1960 and to BBC1 in 1964. The channel used high definition (defined as over 200-line at the time) systems to broadcast, while impressive for that time it is not high definition by todays standards . BBC broadcasted Monday through Saturday every week from 15.00-16.00 and from 21.00-22.00. The channel is still in use today, but it was taken down between 1939 and 1946 due to concerns that the Germans could use the transmitters. BBC is funded through television licence and it is one of the most watched channel in UK today. Famous shows created by and aired on BBC1 includes Doctor Who, Spooks, Jane Eyre and East Enders

14" television set from 1958 

November 1st

On this day – November 1st 1993 – EU was created (The Maastricht Treaty became effective)

The Treaty on European Union, commonly known as the Maastricht Treaty, was created with the goal of integrating Europe. It was based on the European Economic Community. The treaty had been signed already in February in 1992, but it became effective on November 1st in 1993. The treaty created the European Union and its structure of three pillars (European Community, Common Foreign and Security Policy and Justice and Home affairs). The treaty also led to the introduction of the common currency, the Euro, a few years later. 

Ratification of the treaty became complicated in three countries. Denmark had to add four exceptions before its citizens voted yes in a second referendum. In France the treaty was only narrowly supported. The treaty also created political disagreement in United Kingdom, who are now about to leave the union after a referendum.

October 31st

On this day – 31st October 1984 – The assassination of India’s first female prime minister

Indira Gandhi, the daughter of India’s first prime minister, was elected as the Prime minister in 1966. She was a ruthless politician who worked towards centralizing the powers in India. She was re-elected in 1980 and it was during this term she was assassinated. Two of her Sikh bodyguard assassinated her on the 31st of October 1984 as a response to the assault on the Golden Temple. The assassination led to anti-Sikh riots where around 2800 Sikhs in India were murdered. The two assassins who killed Gandhi were hanged in 1989, while the murders of the Sikhs have yet to be properly prosecuted.

Octber 29th

On this day–30th October 1938– the famous “The War of the Worlds” radio-drama was played

The play was based on the book H. G Wells novel with the same title and Orson Welles was the director and narrator. The show was about the invasion of the US by alien and it started with a row of news bulletin to suggest the invasion. The radio-drama became famous because it allegedly caused mass panic, which have later been disputed because of its rather low amount of listeners. It did, however, create a huge news media coverage. Problems was also created for the radio-station on the eve of the show due to large crowds and police requesting the show to be interrupted. Orson Wells also received over 2000 letters in the aftermath of the radio-drama, and it helped to future his career. 

Happy Halloween to all our readers, don't panic!

Orson Welles explaining that no one knew that the broadcast would cause chaos  

October 29th

On this day - 29th of October 1923 - The Turkish republic was established

Turkey was established after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Ottomans covered, at one point, parts of Northern-Africa, South East Europe, Western Asia, Caucasus and Horn of Africa. The Ottoman Empire declined during the 19th century, and as a last effort to gain back lost territories allied the Ottoman empire themselves with Germany during World War 1. British, French and Italian forces occupied Constantinople, Ottomans Capital, during the war. This, and the aftermath of the war contributed to the establishment of a Turkish national movement. In 1922 won this movement, and Mustafa Kemal, the Turkish war of Independence. On the 1st of November 1922 was the Sultanate abolished ending the 623 years long regime of the Ottoman Empire. This made the Ottoman Empire into history’s ninth longest lasting empire. On the 29th of October 1923 was Turkey established as a republic. Mustafa Kemal, also known as Atatürk, became Turkey’s first president and Ankara became Turkey’s new capital. The 28th to the 29th October is today celebrated in Turkey as Republic day.

October 28th

On this day - 28th October 1962 - The Cuban Missile Crises ended

The cuban missile crises lasted from the 16th to the 28th of October and was one of the most intense issues during the cold war. It was the closest the cold war came to become a warm, and potential nuclear, conflict. The reason for the conflict was the Soviet Unions deployment of ballistic missiles on Cuba after US failed "Bay of Pigs Invasion" of Cuba. After this followed a series of minor conflicts, including the US dropping of "Depth Charges" on a nuclear armed Soviet submarine and a military blockage by the US. On the 28th was finally an agreement between Kennedy and Khrushchev reached and agreed on by both sides.

The Soviet Union agreed to dismantle their offensive weapons on Cuba in exchange for an U.S official declaration to never invade Cuba without direct provocation. The US also agreed, in secretly, to dismantle U.S built Jupiter missiles in Turkey and Italy. As a result of the conflict was a hotline between Moscow and Washington established. The conflict became an embarrassment for Khrushchev, who fell from power only two years later.

J.F. Kennedy signing the proclamation authorizing the naval quarantine of Cuba

October 27th

On this day - October 27th 1992 - The US marine, Allen Schindler, murdered for being gay

Allen R. Schindler, who worked as a radioman in the US navy, was brutally killed in a public toilet in Japan. He had at least four fatal injuries and his penis was cut. His family was only able to identify Schindler due to a tattoo on his arm, because his body was unrecognisable. Schindler had previous to the murder complained to his commanding officer about anti-gay harassment on the assault ship he worked on. Schindler har decided to leave the navy, be his superiors had insisted he remained on the ship until his separation-process was finished. His murderer, airman apprentice Helvey, was sentenced to lifetime in prison. The murdered sparked a debate about gays in the US military culminating in the "Don't ask, don't tell" bill. This bill prohibit military personell from discriminating against or harassing against closet homosexuals and it prohibit openly gay, lesbian and bisexual persons from military service.

Allen R. Schindler died at the young age of 22 due to other peoples hatred. While his death caused a shift for the Navy LGBT rights still remains an issue until this day.

October 26th

On this day - 26th October 1977 - Smallpox was eradicated 

The Somali Ali Maow Maalin is the last human to have been naturally infected with (Variola Minor) smallpox. He contracted the disease on October 26th 1977. He survived, and the world health organisation declared the virus as officially eradicated two years later. Smallpox is believed to first have developed among humans around 10.000 BC. By the end of the 18th century died around 400.000 europeans annually. The eradication of this disease is considered one of the vaccination programs greatest success and 26th or October is by WHO considered the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox. 

Smallpox Vaccine

October 25th

On this day – October 25th 1760 – George III became king of Great Britain and Ireland

George III was king of UK and Ireland from 1760 until his death in 1820 (However, due to mental illness was a regency established with his oldest son in charge in 1810). His reign was longer than any UK monarch before him and only Victoria and Elisabeth II has ruled longer than him . George was then the king both during the Napoleon war and the American war of independence. George III struggled in his later years with dementia and rheumatics and by 1810 he was virtually blind. The Prince of Wales was the Regent from 1811 until George III death in 1820.  George III was succeeded by George IV, his oldest son, who only ruled for the next 10 years. George III has been know as the "scapegoat for the failure of imperialism".

October 24th

On this day - 24th of October 1945 - Vidkun Quisling was executed 

Quisling is mostly known for being the head of state during the German occupation of Norway. Quisling also met Hitler several times both before and after the ware broke out. Quisling announced over the radio that his political party, "Nasjonal Samling"(Norwegian national nazi-party) had seized power and that he was to be prime minister. His role as the prime-minister only lasted one week, since neither the Germans nor the Norwegians approved of him. Quisling got a second shot at political power in 1942 when he was appointed Minister President of Norway. Quisling had to, however, share his power with the German Reichskommissar Josef Terboven. Quisling was not a well liked man, he was not even liked by the Germans or even his own political party. After the war Quisling turned himself over to the police and his trial was set the 20th of August where he was found guilty of treason among other charges. On the 10th of September he was convicted and sentenced to death by firing squad. His last words were "I'm convicted unfairly and I die innocent." His legacy is that his name Quisling is a synonym with traitor and collaborationist.

Quisling og Terboven

October 23

On this day – 23rd October 1850 – The first National Women’s Rights Convention

This convention was held in Massachusetts on the 23-24 October 1850. The Convention was held to increase the visibility of women’s rights in the US and both male and females participated. A majority of the 900 participants were, however, men. The convention was thereafter held every year. The 23d also mark the day for a huge suffrage march in New York City in 1915. By that time had women’s rights increased compared to the Convention in 1850, but women were still lacking the right to vote in the US. Over 25.000 women marched up on Fifth Avenue which made it to the largest held in the city. People were, however, skeptical and New York Times ran an article arguing that “granted the suffrage, they would demand all the rights that implies. It is not possible to think of women as soldiers and sailors, police patrolmen, or firemen”. It would take another five years before the right to vote was given to women in the US.

The Suffrage Parade 1912 

October 22

On this day – 22nd October 1797 – The first recorded parachute jump 

The first recorded parachute jump was done by the Frenchman André-Jacques Garnerin over Paris in 1797. His parachute was based on an umbrella like shape (about 7m wide) and in silk. The first jump was from a height of one thousand meters (3200 feet). In October 1799 was the first recorded parachute jump by a women also successfully conducted. This was done by Jeanne Garnerin, André-Jacques, wife. Garnerin travelled around Europe to show off his balloons and parachutes until his death in 1823.

October 21st

On this day - October 21st 1805 - Battle of Trafalgar and Nelsons death

The Battle of Trafalgar was a navy battle between the British Royal Navy and the combined forces of the French and Spanish Navy. The British ships were led by Admiral Lord Nelson and won the battle, even with a smaller force. The French-Spanish fleet lost 22 of its ships, while the British Navy lost none. The battle also ended France plance for invading England. Lord Nelson however, lost his life when he was shot by a French Musketeer. He is considered as one of Britains greates war heros. Some of his last words were "Hardy, I do believe they have done it at last… my backbone is shot through". He was transported back to England where he is burried.

October 20th

On this day – 20th October 1973 – Sydney Opera House Opened 

Queen Elizabeth II (The British Queen) opened the iconic building in Australia on the 20th of October in 1973. The Danish Architect Jørn Utzon designed the building after winning a competition that was held in 1957. The building of the factory started in 1959, but the building was only completed in 1973 at a cost of $102 million. This was 1457% over the estimated building costs, and it also took 10 years longer than anticipated to finish the building. The first concert to be hold was Beethoven’s symphony number 9. The architect, Utzon, was not invented to the opening ceremony. The building hosts a range of venues and it has over 1500 performances every year, and is today considered one of the most iconic buildings in Australia.

October 19th

On this day – 19th October 1950 – China joined the Korean War 

Korea was divided in two after the Second World War and the defeat of Japan. The northern part of Korea had been liberated by the Soviet Union, while the southern parts had been liberated by the US. Each of the two liberating nations set up a governments in “their” part of the country, and thus a north and south Korea was created. In the summer of 1950 attacked North Korea the south with a goal of reunification. A UN led force got involved on the southern side. China supported North Korea, but they chose to not get directly involved in the war until the 19th of October 1950 when Chinese forces secretly crossed the Yalu River. The Southern forces had pressed the forces from the North up close to the Chinese border and China did not want to have an American friendly government close to their own borders. The Chinese participation turned the war around for the northern forces. After over three years was a ceasefire agreed to by all participating countries and no real change in the relationship between North and South Korea have happened since.

October 18th

On this day – 18th October 1851 – The novel about Moby-Dick was published 

The novel written by Herman Melville was first published under the title “The Whale”.  Moby-Dick is a white whale who destroyed the narrator of the novels ship and the novel gives a realistic description of whale-hunting. The novel was first published in London on the 18th of October in 1851, but it was a commercial failure. The book was published in the US in November the same year, but at the time of Melville death was the book out of publishing. It have in modern time gained popularity and it is today recognized as one of the Great Novels. 

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.”

October 17th

On this day – 17th of October 1814 -  8 people died of drowning in a beer-flood

The London Beer-Flood happened on the 17th of October when a storage tank (vats) holding 610.000 Litre of beer ruptured. This led to a domino effect, and more vats ruptured and over 1400.000 Litres of beer over-flooded the area. At least 8 people drown or died from injuries sustained in the flood, and the people taking to the streets to drink didn’t make the rescue work any easier. The disaster was later taken to court, but it was ruled to be an act by God. The porter-producing brewery who had the accident continued to operate until 1921.

October 16th

On this day – 16th of October 1923 – The Walt Disney Company was founded 

Walt and his brother Roy founded the Walt Disney Company 93 years ago today. The company was first named the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Mickey Mouse, the companies star character was invented by Disney in 1928. The original name was Mortimer mouse, but Disney’s wife disliked the name and it was changed to Mickey. In 1937 had Snow White and the 7 dwarfs it’s premier. This was Disneys first full feature animated movie. The Disney Company is today the world second largest media conglomerate in the world and operate in everything from movies and TV to theme parks. They own ABC broadcasting, the Disney Channel, ESPN and AMC family, and they own and license 14 theme parks all around the world. Disney’s newest investment is the rights to the Star Wars. Walt Disney died in December 1966 and Roy took over as CEO. He died in 1971 and the company was left to Walts son-in-law, among other.

October 15th

On this day – 15th of October 1990 - Mikhail Gorbachev got the Nobel Peace Prize 

Mikhail Gorbachev, who got the Nobel Peace Prize, was the last leader of the former Soviet Union. Gorbachev got the Peace Prize for his effort to end the Cold War. His polices that lead to this was called glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). The removal of the constitutional role of the communist party lead to the end for the Soviet Union. Gorbachev has also gotten the Otto Hahn Medal peace medal in 1989 and the Harvey prize in 1992.

September 27th

On this day – 27th September 1968 - The musical Hair opened 

Hair opened in the Shaftesbury Theatre and ran for a staggering 1997 performances until the roof of the theatre collapsed in 1973. The musical was delayed until the Theatres act was enforced so the show could include nudity and profanity. It was one of the first rock musical and it is said that it has defined the genre. Since it depicted use of illegal drugs, showed sexuality, showed nudity and had profanity it caused  much controversy in its time. In Bergen ,Norway, locals gathered to form a human barricade to try to prevent the performance. Hair is still relevant today and has been revived several times.

September 25th

On this day – 25th September 1972 – Rejected Norway EU membership through a referendum 

Norway had been considering to join the European Union (then called European Community) previously as well, but their application had been denied. In 1972, however, had the main terms for Norway’s membership been negotiated and only a yes from the population stood between Norway’s membership in EU. However, the no side won the referendum with a 53.3 percent and Norway withdrew their application. The same happened in 1994, and Norway have still not joined the EU.

September 24th

On this day – September 24th 1957 – The stadium Camp Neu was opened

Camp Neu in Spain was officially opened in 1957. The building if the stadium started in March 1954 and it took 3 years to build it. The building of the stadium ended up going 336 % over budget. It was built as, and is today the stadium for the football team FC Barcelona. Barcelona defeated Legia Warsaw 4-2 in the first match played in the new stadium. The stadium seats 99,354, which makes it Europe’s largest.

September 23rd

On this day – 23rd of September 2002 – Firefox was launched! 

Firefox, a free and open- source web-browser was first created in September 2002 under the name “Phoenix”. The web browser had to change its name due to trademark issues, and it was first renamed firebird. This name also had to be changed due to criticism from the “Firebird Software Project”. In November 2004 was Mozilla Firefox 1.0 released. Firefox had a desk browser share of 17 percent in June 2015. http://gs.statcounter.com/#desktop-browser-ww-monthly-201208-201507

September 22

On this day – 22nd September 1980 –  The start of the Iran-Iraq war

The war between the two countries started in 1980 when Iran attacked Iraq. Although Iran was the first to attack spent this nation most of the time of the war on the offence. In terms of hoe the war was fought was this very similar to WW1. No-man’s land, trench warfare and barbed wire was common where the fighting took place. The war lasted until 1988, which made it into the 20th century longest lasting conventional war. The outcome of the war was around a half million dead soldiers, but no change in borders and no repayment to either of the countries. Iraq was not identified by U.N. as the aggressor of the war until 1991.

September 21st

On this day – 21st of September 1999 – The 921 earthquake in Taiwan

The earthquake happened near the town of Jiji and was the second most deadly in Taiwans history. With 2415 people killed and 11305 injured the earthquake caused material damages estimated to 10 billion US dollars. The earthquake measured  7.3 on the richter scale and there are records of 12,911 after quakes in the months following the main tremor. One of the aftershocks measured 6.8 on the richter scale and causing more damages and three more lives were lost. The quake is now ingrained in Taiwanese history and is referred to as the 921 earthquake.

September 20th

On this day – 20th of September 1946 – The first Cannes Film Festival was held

The film festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It is held annually, usually in May, in Cannes in France. The history of the festival goes back to 1938 when an international Cinematographer festival was set up, but the Cannes Film festival as it is known today was created in 1946. Since 1955 have the winners received the “Palme d’Or”, or the golden palm (Although this was called Grand Prix du Festival between 1964 and 1974). The first to receive this award  was Delbert Mann for “Marty” from USA.

September 19th

On this day – September 19th 1692 –Giles Corey tortured to death in the Salem Witch Trials

The Salem witch trials was a series of prosecutions and executions for Witchery around the Salem are in Massachusetts, US. A total of 20 people were executed, and one of those was Giles Corey. He was accused together with his wife for witchcraft, which he testified against an allegedly accused of witchery. In his own trial refused Corey to plead guilty or not guilty. To get him to plead was he laid under an increasing load of heavy rocks, known as Peine forte et dure. He died of this torture on the 19th of September 1962 after surviving two days of this torture.

September 18th

On this day – 18th of September 2014 – Scottish referendum

Scotland became an independent country during the middle ages, but it entered a union with England in 1707. Since then have Scotland been a part of The United Kingdom, but it has kept its independent culture. On this day, last year, voted Scotland on independence. 55 percent, against 45 voted no to independence and the union between England and Scotland continued. The night after the referendum met hundreds of “unionists” in Glasgow to a rather violent celebration. Interestingly enough became the Scottish National Party the third largest in the 2015 UK general election. Will Scotland push for a new referendum in the future, in particular after the Brexit vote this summer?