History Today: When the State of Israel was formed 77 years ago

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14-05-2025

One of the most important developments in the history of West Asia, the proclamation of the State of Israel, took place on May 14, 1948. The declaration came hours before the British Mandate for Palestine officially came to an end. On this day in 1796, British physician Edward Jenner administered the first vaccination for smallpox read more
The pronouncement of the State of Israel was made in close proximity to the official expiration of the British Mandate on May 15. File image/Wikimedia commons
In a historic move on May 14, 1948, Israel declared its independence from British rule under the Mandate for Palestine. Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the new country, following which Ben-Gurion assumed the role of Israel's first prime minister.
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On this day in 1796, the first smallpox vaccination was administered by British physician Edward Jenner.
Here is all that took place on this day across the world.
Israel declares statehood
One of the most significant changes in West Asia took place on May 14, 1948, when Israel declared independence from British rule. Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel at the Tel Aviv Museum, thus establishing the first Jewish state in 2,000 years.
The pronouncement was made in close proximity to the official expiration of the British Mandate on May 15. Drawing upon both scriptural narratives and contemporary historical arguments, the declaration referenced the enduring connection of the Jewish people to the land, the profound tragedy of the Holocaust and the aspirations for the establishment of a peaceful and democratic state. Furthermore, it pledged equal rights to all inhabitants, without regard to religion, race or gender.
The United States, under President Truman, quickly recognised the newly formed State of Israel. However, this was immediately followed by a military intervention from neighbouring nations including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon initiating the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. This conflict lasted over a year leading to significant deaths, displacement and entrenched regional tensions.
The first smallpox vaccination administered
One of the most important discoveries of the 1800s was the creation of smallpox vaccination. May 14, 1796, was a crucial day as the first smallpox vaccination was administered on this day. At that time, smallpox was a virulent disease-causing widespread mortality globally. British physician Edward Jenner carried out the revolutionary medical experiment and created the first vaccine for smallpox. His innovative method established the fundamental principles of modern immunology.
Jenner coined the term 'vaccine' from Latin word 'vacca', meaning a cow. Representational image
Jenner's concept was derived from observing milkmaids who commonly contracted the milder cowpox and seemed to be immune to smallpox. He theorised that exposure to cowpox could provide protection against the more severe virus. To experimentally validate this, Jenner extracted material from cowpox sores on the hand of a milkmaid Sarah Nelmes and introduced it into the arm of James Phipps, an eight-year-old boy.
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Phipps developed mild symptoms but quickly recovered. Several weeks later, Jenner exposed the boy to smallpox but he did not develop the disease. This experiment marked the first documented case of immunity through vaccination. Jenner published his findings in 1798, coining the term 'vaccine' from vacca, the Latin word for cow.
Despite scepticism from some of his contemporaries, Jenner's technique spread rapidly. Governments across Europe and beyond began adopting vaccination programs. In the centuries that followed, vaccination would become a central tool in public health.
This Day, That Year
Skylab, the first US space station, was launched on this day in 1973.
In 1643, four-year-old Louis XIV ascended the throne of France.