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First Post
2 days ago
- General
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History Today: The momentous coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II was just 27 years old when she ascended the throne after her father's death. It was not until June 2, 1953, that she officially became queen of England and the Commonwealth after her coronation. This was also the first coronation that was televised, with 20 million people watching the broadcast read more This photograph of the newly crowned monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, was sent by special radiophoto circuit from London. AP The world watched in wonder as Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on June 2, 1953. Although she had become the queen after her father's death on February 6, 1952, it was from June 2 that her reign formally began as monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It was on this day in 2014 that Telangana, the 29th state of India, came into existence. The people had been struggling for decades to separate from Andhra Pradesh and form a state of their own. Here are some of the events that took place on this day. Elizabeth II's coronation Queen Elizabeth II was one of the few leaders of the world who witnessed it all, from the moon landing to the pandemic. She took over the monarchy from her late father King George VI. The King's health had been deteriorating since 1949 due heavy smoking but continued to perform his duties until his death in 1952. Elizabeth's journey as a monarch was very similar to that of her father… full of surprises. King George VI took over the monarchy after his brother Edward VIII abdicated the crown. Despite not being born to be the queen, Elizabeth was prepared from a young age for royal responsibilities. Queen Elizabeth's coronation was the first televised ceremony of the monarchy. File image/AP Queen Elizabeth II's coronation took place at Westminster Abbey in London, marking the formal beginning of her reign as monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The ceremony followed centuries-old rituals, including the anointing with holy oil, the presentation of royal regalia, and the formal crowning with the St Edward's Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The coronation oath was a key part of the event, during which Elizabeth pledged to uphold the laws of her realms and govern with justice and mercy. Dignitaries, royals and representatives from around the world attended, emphasising Britain's global influence and the importance of the Commonwealth. The streets of London were lined with crowds, despite rainy weather, celebrating the young queen who symbolises hope and continuity in a changing world. The coronation was a historic and symbolic event that became the first in British history to be televised live. Over 20 million people in the UK alone watched the broadcast, and many millions more around the world tuned in. This decision helped modernise the monarchy and bring it closer to the public. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Birth of Telangana state June 2 is an important day for India because it was on this day in 2014 that Telangana was officially created. It became the 29th state of India after its formal separation from Andhra Pradesh. But why did the people demand for a separate state? Telangana, historically part of the Hyderabad princely state annexed by India in 1948, was merged with the Andhra region (formerly of the Madras Presidency) in 1956 to create Andhra Pradesh, based on linguistic similarities. However, a widespread sentiment in Telangana held that the promises of the Gentlemen's Agreement which was designed to protect their interests were unfulfilled leading to grievances concerning the inequitable distribution of water, jobs, education and development opportunities. The movement for a separate Telangana gained momentum in the late 1990s and 2000s, led by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) under K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). Mass protests, student participation, and public mobilization increased pressure on the central government. After intense political debate, Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act in February 2014, approving the bifurcation. On June 2, 2014, Telangana was officially declared a separate state with Hyderabad as its capital, shared with Andhra Pradesh for a 10-year transitional period with K Chandrashekar Rao becoming its first Chief Minister. Every year June 2 is celebrated as Telangana Formation Day, commemorating the aspirations, struggles, and achievements of the people who made the state a reality. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This Day, That Year On this day in 1946, the people of Italy passed a referendum to replace the governing monarchy with a republic. Constantine II, king of Greece from 1964 to 1974, was born in Psikhikó, near Athens on this day 1940.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
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History Today: When Pakistan copied India and conducted nuclear tests
Just 10 days after India conducted nuclear tests in Rajasthan's Pokhran, Pakistan followed suit on May 28. The tests were conducted in five underground locations in Balochistan's Ras Koh Hills. On this day in 1937, the German company Volkswagen was established under Adolf Hitler's regime. Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to design the vehicle read more The Pakistani scientists posing with a nice view of Koh Kambaran in the background. Facebook Tensions have been simmering between neighbouring countries India and Pakistan since the deadly terrorist attack on Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 this year. Several nuclear stations were attacked during Operation Sindoor, India's retaliation to the attack. While the situation is now back to normal, it is important to remember that both nations are nuclear-armed. While India tested its nuclear missiles on May 11, 1998, Pakistan followed suit ten days later on May 28, 1998. It conducted five underground detonations in the Ras Koh Hills of Balochistan. With this, it became the seventh country in the world to possess nuclear weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. On May 28, 1998, Volkswagen was established under Adolf Hitler's regime in Germany to create a people's car or Volkswagen. Meanwhile, Amnesty International was also founded on this day in 1961 by British lawyer Peter Benenson. Here is all that took place on this day across the world. Pakistan conducted nuclear tests Pakistan conducted nuclear tests for the first time on May 28, 1998. The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) carried out these five underground nuclear tests near Balochistan's Ras Koh Hills. The tests, codenamed Chagai-I, were a direct response to India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests on May 11 and May 13 respectively. Pakistan's decision to test was driven by a desire to restore strategic balance in South Asia and to demonstrate its nuclear capabilities. While India's Pokhran tests evaded US satellite surveillance, Pakistan's preparations were monitored in real-time by Western intelligence, reported Economic Times. It further stated that American satellite surveillance detected the pouring of concrete into test shafts 24 hours preceding the detonations. The report further stated that US President Bill Clinton issued a last-minute plea, proposing $5 billion in aid should Pakistan desist from the tests. According to reports, the devices tested were primarily uranium-based, with yields estimated between nine to 40 kilotons of trinitrotoluene (commonly known as TNT) equivalent. This was followed up with a second test conducted two days later on May 30, 1998, known as Chagai-II in Kharan Desert. While May 28 is annually celebrated across Pakistan as Youm-e-Takbir (Day of Greatness) to mark the nation's nuclear advancements, it is viewed differently in Balochistan. Many locals there commemorate the day as a 'black day,' pointing to the environmental damage and health problems caused by the nuclear explosions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Volkswagen was founded On this day in 1937, the German Labour Front, operating under the Nazi regime, established the 'Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH' ('Company for the Preparation of the German People's Car Ltd.') in Berlin. The primary objective of this initiative was to manufacture an affordable automobile for the average German citizen. A Volkswagen Beetle being unloaded at Emden harbour, Germany to be sent to Mexico. File image/AP To bring to life Adolf Hitler's vision of a 'people's car' or 'Volkswagen', Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to design the vehicle. He came up with the KdF-Wagen which later became known as the Volkswagen Beetle. The construction of the Volkswagen factory in 1938 in the town of 'Stadt des KdF-Wagens,' later renamed Wolfsburg. However, the outbreak of World War II shifted the company's focus to military production. Once the war came to an end, the British took control of the factory and revived the production of the Beetle . The car went on becoming a symbol of Germany's post-war economic recovery. Today, Volkswagen has evolved into one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers. Amnesty International was founded On May 28, 1961, the British newspaper 'The London Observer' featured on its front page an article by British lawyer Peter Benenson titled 'The Forgotten Prisoners.' This publication initiated the Appeal for Amnesty 1961, a campaign advocating for the release of individuals detained globally solely for the peaceful expression of their convictions. Benenson was inspired to author the appeal after encountering an article detailing the incarceration of two Portuguese students who had publicly offered a toast to freedom. Portugal, at the time, was governed by the dictatorship of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. Outraged by the situation, Benenson composed the Observer article, presenting a case for the students' liberation and imploring readers to dispatch letters of protest to the Portuguese government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its efforts to secure the release of prisoners of conscience. AP The response to the appeal was overwhelming, leading to the formal establishment of Amnesty International in July 1961. The organisation was founded with the support of various individuals, including Quaker activist Eric Baker and Irish statesman Seán MacBride, who became its first chairman, reported It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its efforts to secure the release of prisoners of conscience and combat human rights abuses worldwide . This Day, That Year On this day in 1999, Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper was reopened to public view in Milan. Neville Chamberlain became prime minister of the United Kingdom on this day in 1937.
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First Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
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History Today: When Jawaharlal Nehru passed away after a heart attack
On May 27, 1964, Jawaharlal Nehru, the prime minister of India, passed away after suffering a heart attack at age 74. Nehru is widely known as the architect of modern India and one of the most important leaders of the Indian freedom movement. He had been at the helm for 17 years – guiding the country in the backdrop of monumental events including the US-Soviet Cold War and the 1962 War with China read more Jawaharlal Nehru, also known as 'Pandit Nehru', was the architect of modern India. One of the most monumental moments in India's history took place on May 27, 1964. Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, passed away after suffering a heart attack at age 74. Nehru, also known as 'Pandit Nehru', was the architect of modern India. In in the pantheons of India's greatest politicians, he remains a titan. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nehru passes away On the day he died, Jawaharlal Nehru was prime minister of India and a towering national figure. It was the position he had held for 17 straight years – since the country's Independence in 1947. Nehru was born into a Kashmiri Brahmin family in in Allahabad on November 14, 1889 . His father, Motilal Nehru, was a well-known lawyer and leader of the Independence Movement. He also knew Mahatma Gandhi. Nehru was first educated at home. He was then sent abroad – first to Harrow and then to Trinity College in Cambridge. He was not a top student. 'I have become a queer mixture of East and West, out of place everywhere, at home nowhere,' Nehru wrote of his time abroad. On returning to India, Nehru got married to Kamala Kaul. Their only child, Indira, would go on to serve as prime minister. But that came later. Nehru over the next couple of decades became one of the most important leaders of the Indian political movement. He also became close to Mahatma Gandhi – and was widely seen as the heir apparent to the movement. On August 15, 1947, Nehru became Independent India's first prime minister. Lord Louis Mountbatten, viceroy of India, discusses Britain's partition plan with Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. File image/AP For the next 17 years, Nehru would guide India through monumental events – including the Cold War between US and the Soviet Union and the 1962 War with China – pursuing a path of non-alignment and policies known as 'Nehruvian socialism.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He died with his daughter Indira at his side. Nehru's death was greeted by massive shock from by his fellow politicians. The prime minister is no more. The light is out,' an emotional C Subramaniam, a Cabinet minister, told Parliament. Incidentally, Nehru had used the very same phrase – the light is out – while announcing Gandhiji's death. His demise plunged India – its writers, intellectuals, thinkers and the public at large – into a profound sorrow. Nehru, to this day, remains one of the most important and influential politics India has ever seen. Golden Gate bridge opens Also, on May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened for the first time to the public. The bridge, which had been under construction for five years, was a massive undertaking. Over 200,000 people came to gape at the 4,200 square foot suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County. Work on the bridge began on January 5, 1933 – during the Great Depression. A decade had passed after bridge engineer Joseph Strauss had first proposed building a suspension bridge for around $27 million. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Five years after work began, the Golden Gate Bridge was opened on May 27, 1937, becoming the longest bridge span in the world at the time. File image/Reuters Strauss, who was later elected chief engineer of the project, would be ably assisted by consulting engineer Leon S. Moisseiff, architect Irving F Morrow, and others. Moisseiff and Morrow's contributions cannot be understated. After all, it was Moisseiff who convinced Strauss to build a simple suspension bridge. Morrow and his wife Gertrude, meanwhile, developed the look of the bridge. Morrow also aided in choosing the Golden Gate Bridge's famed colour – 'international orange.' But the work came at a cost. In all, 11 men died during the work on the bridge. At the time of its opening, it was the world's longest bridge. It would hold that record till 1964. The Golden Gate Bridge stands to this day as an engineering marvel. Every year, thousands of people from around the world still come to San Francisco to admire it. This Day, That Year 1660: Denmark and Sweden signed the Treaty of Copenhagen, bringing an end to the major conflict between the two powers. The treaty, alongside the Treaty of Roskilde, determined the modern boundaries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. 1679: England passed the Habeas Corpus law – putting a dent in the right of kings. The law, which translates to 'you shall have the body,' arguably remains the cornerstone of legal jurisprudence for democracies around the world. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 1897: Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' went on sale in London. The Irish writer is said to have based the character on Prince Vlad III of Wallachia – also known as Vlad The Impaler. From Buffy The Vampire Slayer to Blade and Twilight, the hold of vampires on Pop culture has never since waned. 1933: Disney releases its animated movie Three Little Pigs. The whimsical musical, which preceded Walt Disney's masterpiece Snow White by four years, was a major hit and influenced the direction of the entire animation industry for years to come.
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First Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
History Today: How George Floyd's killing in US gave rise to ‘Black Lives Matter' movement
On May 25, 2020, the killing of George Floyd led to what is considered the largest protest movement in United States history and a conversation on racism and policing. Floyd, a Black man, died after Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly 10 minutes. Protesters filled the streets, shouting slogans such as 'Black Lives Matter' and soon spread across the US read more Floyd was handcuffed and repeatedly said he could not breathe. Reuters/File Photo On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a Black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly ten minutes. Floyd was handcuffed and repeatedly said he could not breathe. Bystanders filmed the incident, and the video quickly spread, leading to what is believed to be the largest protest movement in US history. It opened a public discussion on race and policing. Also, on this day in 1977, George Lucas's science fiction film 'Star Wars' was released. It would go on to become one of the most popular and influential film series ever made. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today, is your one-stop destination to explore key events. Let's take a look at the events: George Floyd was killed, 'Black Lives Matter' begins On this day in 2020, the killing of George Floyd led to what is believed to be the largest protest movement in United States history and a huge discussion on racism and policing. George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by Derek Chauvin , a white Minneapolis police officer, who pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly ten minutes. People take part in a Black Lives Matter protest in Oklahoma City. Reuters/File Photo Floyd, a father of five, had gone to a local convenience store in Minneapolis to buy cigarettes. A store clerk suspected he had used a fake $20 note and called the police. When the officers arrived, they drew a gun on Floyd, who at first followed their instructions and allowed himself to be arrested. But when they tried to put him in a police vehicle, he said he was claustrophobic and resisted. Police then pulled him from the car and pinned him to the ground. Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds. By the time an ambulance arrived, Floyd was unresponsive and was declared dead at a nearby hospital. A video of the incident quickly spread on Facebook, and protests began in Minneapolis within hours. They soon spread across the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Protesters took to the streets in all parts of the country, shouting slogans like 'Black Lives Matter' and ' I Can't Breathe .' Police in many cities responded using riot-control tactics. A demonstrator holds a sign during the Black Lives Matter protest. Reuters/File Photo The incident also brought fresh attention to the earlier deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, two other Black Americans who had been killed that year. In the weeks that followed Floyd's death, protests were held in more than 2,000 cities and towns across all 50 US states, as well as in cities around the world. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings, people kept marching throughout June. Protesters faced heavy resistance from local and federal law enforcement, many of whom were in riot gear. Chauvin was arrested four days later, on May 29, 2020. He was charged with second-degree and third-degree murder, along with second-degree manslaughter. He was later sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison. When the first 'Star Wars' film was released On this day in 1977, Memorial Day weekend in the United States began with the release of Star Wars , the first film in what would become one of the most successful franchises in cinema history. Created by George Lucas, the story is set 'a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away' and follows Luke Skywalker, played by then little-known actor Mark Hamill, as he gets caught up in a battle between a powerful empire and rebel fighters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite opening in just 42 theatres, the film made nearly $3 million in its first week. By the end of that summer, it had earned over $100 million in the US alone. It would go on to become one of the most popular and influential film series ever made. Image: X Star Wars won six Academy Awards and received a special honour for sound design. It transformed the film industry with its groundbreaking visual effects. The film quickly became a cultural sensation. It led to a wide range of related media, including more films, TV shows, comics, toys, video games and merchandise. Two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and The Return of the Jedi (1983), brought back most of the original cast and were just as successful, both critically and commercially. The Star Wars universe has continued to grow, with new films and series being released well into the 2020s. This Day, That Year 1611: Emperor Jahangir married Mehr-un-Nissa, who would later be known as Nur Jahan. She became one of the most powerful and influential women in Mughal history. 1977: China lifted a ten-year ban on the works of William Shakespeare, which was seen as a shift in the country's cultural policies. 1979: An accident took place when an American Airlines DC-10 crashed shortly after takeoff from Chicago's O'Hare Airport, killing 273 people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 2011: The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired. The long-running programme made Winfrey one of the wealthiest and most influential women in the US. 2012: SpaceX made history as its Dragon capsule became the first private spacecraft to successfully dock with the International Space Station. 2018: Harvey Weinstein was arrested and charged in New York with rape and another sex offence in what was the first prosecution to follow the wave of accusations against him.
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First Post
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
History Today: When New York's iconic Brooklyn Bridge was inaugurated
One of the most iconic bridges, the Brooklyn Bridge, was opened to the public on May 24, 1844, thus connecting the cities of New York and Brooklyn for the first time in history. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. The bridge has grabbed headlines recently after a Mexican navy ship collided with it, killing two cadets and injuring 22 others read more Pedestrians stroll along the promenade of the Brooklyn Bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York, 1891. File image/AP Remember Shah Rukh Khan's Aman running on the Brooklyn Bridge in the movie 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'? Well, one of New York's most famous architectures, the Brooklyn Bridge opened on May 24, 1883. The bridge is important as it connected the cities of New York and Brooklyn for the first time in history. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On this day in 1844, Samuel FB Morse transmitted the first official telegraph message, marking a pivotal moment in communication history. In 1830, the poem 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' was first published in Poems for Our Children by Sarah Josepha Hale. Here is all that took place on this day across the world on May 24. Inauguration of Brooklyn Bridge Visible in many TV shows and movies, the Brooklyn Bridge is a part of New York's identity. It officially opened on May 24, 1883, over the East River, uniting the cities of New York and Brooklyn for the first time. At the time of its inauguration, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, spanning 1,595.5 feet. The dedication ceremony drew thousands of residents from both Brooklyn and Manhattan Island along with President Chester A Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland presiding over the event. The construction of the bridge, a monumental engineering achievement, began under John A Roebling. Following his untimely accidental death, his son Washington Roebling, assumed the role of chief engineer. Washington later suffered from decompression sickness, which confined him to bed. His wife, Emily Warren Roebling, then took charge, overseeing the day-to-day operations and serving as the crucial link between her husband and the construction crew. Her unwavering dedication was vital to the project's successful completion. Officers of the New York and Brooklyn Corporation along with workmen, inspect the cable anchorage on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge during construction, October 1878. File image/AP And so, on the day of the inauguration, she was honoured with the first carriage ride across the bridge with a rooster in her lap, symbolising victory. An estimated 250,000 people crossed the Brooklyn Bridge within 24 hours since opening, taking advantage of the broad promenade situated above the roadway, a feature specifically designed by John Roebling for pedestrian enjoyment. The bridge's completion was met with widespread acclaim. Dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world,' it quickly became an iconic symbol of New York City . Its innovative design and impressive scale inspired artists, poets, and engineers alike. The first telegraph message sent Now extinct, telegraphs were an important part of communication in the 19th and 20th centuries. They played a crucial role in the history of communication. 'What hath God wrought,' this was the first message transmitted via a telegraph, by Samuel FB Morse from the US Capitol in Washington, DC, to his associate Alfred Vail at the B&O Railroad's Mount Clare Station in Baltimore, Maryland in 1844. The successful transmission demonstrated the practicality of long-distance electronic communication, leading to the rapid expansion of telegraph lines across the United States and eventually the world. This innovation laid the groundwork for future advancements in communication technologies, including the telephone and the Internet. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Morse's achievement was the culmination of years of experimentation and advocacy. In 1843, he secured $30,000 in federal funding to construct the 38-mile telegraph line between Washington and Baltimore. The project's success not only validated Morse's invention but also showcased the potential of government-supported technological innovation. 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' rhyme was published One Of the most popular English rhymes, 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' was published on this day in 1830. The rhyme first appeared in the 'Poems for Our Children' written by American writer and editor Sarah Josepha Hale. The poem was inspired by an actual incident involving a young girl named Mary Sawyer from Sterling, Massachusetts. In 1815, at the age of nine, Mary rescued a sickly lamb rejected by its mother and raised it as a pet. One day, the lamb followed her to school, causing a commotion among her classmates. This event left a lasting impression on Mary and those around her. The poem gained popularity and became one of the most enduring nursery rhymes in American culture. In 1877, Thomas Edison used 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' as the first audio recording on his newly invented phonograph, further cementing its place in history. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Today, it remains a beloved nursery rhyme, symbolising the innocence of childhood and the bond between humans and animals. This Day, That Year On this day in 2000, Israel ended its 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon. Carl Magee of Oklahoma was granted a US patent for the first coin-controlled parking meter in 1938. With inputs from agencies
