The United States granted China permanent normal trade relations status
This milestone ended the annual review process and paved the way for China's entry into the World Trade Organization. The decision fundamentally resha...
Historical Events
2001
1979
Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan, beginning a nine-year war
MajorThousands of Soviet troops entered Afghanistan to support the communist government, triggering a brutal conflict. The invasion drew international cond...
1978
Spain became a democracy after approving its new constitution
In a referendum, Spanish citizens overwhelmingly approved a democratic constitution, marking the end of decades of authoritarian rule following Franco...
1968
Apollo 8 astronauts became the first humans to orbit the Moon
MajorFrank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders completed their tenth orbit around the Moon before beginning their journey back to Earth. Their famous...
1947
The children's television show 'Howdy Doody' premiered on NBC
The freckle-faced marionette and his friends entertained American children for 13 years across 2,343 episodes. The show pioneered many techniques of c...
1945
The International Monetary Fund was officially created
MajorTwenty-nine countries signed the Articles of Agreement, establishing the IMF to promote international monetary cooperation and exchange stability. The...
1932
Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City with the world's largest indoor theater
The iconic Art Deco venue seated nearly 6,000 people and premiered with a spectacular variety show. Its famous Rockettes precision dance troupe and el...
1927
The musical 'Show Boat' premiered on Broadway
Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's groundbreaking production revolutionized musical theater by tackling serious themes like racial prejudice and u...
1923
Tokyo's first subway line opened to the public
The 1.5-mile route between Ueno and Asakusa became Asia's first subway system. Over 100,000 curious riders packed the trains on opening day to experie...
1904
J.M. Barrie's play 'Peter Pan' premiered in London
The magical story of the boy who wouldn't grow up debuted at the Duke of York's Theatre to instant acclaim. What began as a stage play became one of t...
1900
Carrie Nation carried out her first bar-smashing raid with a hatchet in Kansas
The temperance activist stormed into a Wichita saloon and destroyed bottles, mirrors, and furniture with her trademark hatchet. Her violent crusade ag...
1831
Charles Darwin set sail on the HMS Beagle for a voyage that would change biology forever
MajorThe 22-year-old naturalist embarked on what was supposed to be a two-year surveying expedition. The journey lasted five years and provided Darwin with...
1822
Louis Pasteur was born in France
MajorThe chemist and microbiologist would go on to create the first vaccines for rabies and anthrax, and develop the pasteurization process that made milk...
1571
Johannes Kepler was born in Germany
The astronomer and mathematician would discover the laws of planetary motion that bear his name. His work provided crucial evidence for the Copernican...