A Long Time Ago… Star Wars Released
On this day in 1977 the hugely successful original Star Wars movie was released, heralding what would eventually be a six-part series.
For more visit:
http://www.starwars.com/movies/episode-iv
Monthly Archives: May 2011
Today in History – 23 May 1945
Germany – World War II: Heinrich Himmler Committed Suicide
Heinrich Himmler, a leading Nazi and mass murderer in World War II, committed suicide on this day in 1945. This before he was brought to justice for his crimes.
Himmler was born on the 7th October 1900. He became a leading member of the Nazi Party and was a major player in the leadership that brought about the Holocaust (the mass murder of millions of Jews, Roma, Poles, Communists and POWs).
Today in History – 22 May 1840
Australia – New South Wales: Transportation of Convicts to New South Wales Ended
On this day in 1840, the transportation of convicts to the colony of New South Wales in Australia ended. Transportation of convicts to New South Wales began with the departure of the first convicts from England on the 13th May 1787, with the first convicts arriving at Botany Bay on the 20th January 1788. Transportation of convicts continued in to other areas of Australia until the last ship arrived in Western Australia on the 10th January 1868.
Today in History – 21 May 1904
Football: FIFA is Formed
On this day in 1904 the International Federation of Association Football (Federation Internationale de Football Association), more commonly known as FIFA, was formed. Fifa is the international governing body for football (soccer). FIFA is made up of 208 national football associations and its president is currently Sepp Blatter.
FIFA seems to be more in the news these days for accusations of corruption than for its showpiece the FIFA World Cup of football.
For more on FIFA see:
http://www.fifa.com/
Today in History – 16 May 1532
England: Sir Thomas More Resigns His Office as Lord Chancellor of England
Sir Thomas More was born on the 7th February 1478. More’s political career began modestly enough, but rose through the ranks of power to become Lord Chancellor in 1529. However, he eventually ran into conflict with the king over the issue of papal authority versus that of the king. It was to be his undoing before Henry VIII, as he was unable to accept the Act of Supremacy.
On this day in 1532, Sir Thomas More resigned his office as Lord Chancellor of England, citing health issues. The true cause of his resignation was undoubtedly his position on the royal claim to supremacy in England.
Eventually his position led to his total fall from grace and he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was then tried for treason and finally beheaded on the 6th July 1535.
More had been an aggressive and vocal opponent of the reformation within Henry VIII’s inner circle. He was a severe persecutor of the Protestants and the church, being a staunch Roman Catholic (recognized by Roman Catholicism as a saint) to the bitter end.
Today in History – 15 May 1940
USA: The First McDonald’s Restaurant Opens In San Bernardino, California
On this day in 1940 the first McDonald’s Restaurant opened in San Bernardino, California in the United States. This first restaurant was opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald. Ronald McDonald didn’t arrive on the scene until 1967.
Australia’s first McDonald’s restaurant opened in 1971 in Yagoona (Sydney), New South Wales, Australia. There are now almost 800 McDonald’s restaurants around the country.
For more on McDonald’s and there history visit:
http://www.mcdonalds.com
http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcd_history.html
For more on McDonald’s in Australia visit:
http://mcdonalds.com.au
McDonald’s on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/McDonalds
Today in History – 14 May 1955
The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance is Signed
The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, also known as the Warsaw Pact, was signed in Warsaw, Poland. This was the military alliance signed by the Eastern Bloc of nations, namely the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. The treaty came about in response to West Germany being included in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the 9 May 1955. These were the two major treaties to come out of post war (WWII) Europe and were the opposing parties of the Cold War.
For more information on the Cold War see:
http://www.coldwar.org/
Timeline of the Cold War:
http://library.thinkquest.org/10826/timeline.htm
Today in History – 13 May 1787
First Fleet Leaves England for Australia
On this day in 1787, 11 ships known as the First Fleet left England for Australia. On board were 1487 people, including 778 convicts. Their destination was Botany Bay in what was then known as New Holland. The expedition was under the leadership of Captain Arthur Phillip, soon to be Governor Phillip and later Admiral Phillip. The First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay from the 18th January 1788.
An account of the journey can be found at the Internet Archive. I am currently working on a copy of this work for the Tracing our History website.
A Narrative of the Expedition to Botany Bay, by Watkin Tench
http://www.archive.org/details/acompleteaccount03534gut
Today in History – 12 May 1937
George VI Crowned King of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth
Though reigning as king since the 11th December 1936, King George VI was not officially crowned until this day in 1937. His reign lasted until his death on the 6 February 1952, when he was succeeded by the current queen, Elizabeth II.
George VI was crowned King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth. He became king following his brother’s (Edward VIII) abdication in 1936.
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