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2014

Prime Minister of Lesotho Tom Thabane flees to South Africa as the army allegedly stages a coup.

Prime Minister of Lesotho Tom Thabane flees to South Africa as the army allegedly stages a coup.

1966

Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, the architect of apartheid, is stabbed to death in Cape Town, South Africa during a…

Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, the architect of apartheid, is stabbed to death in Cape Town, South Africa during a parliamentary meeting.

1989

Largest anti-Apartheid march in South Africa, led by Desmond Tutu.

Largest anti-Apartheid march in South Africa, led by Desmond Tutu.

2018

Cannabis is legalized in South Africa, through a ruling of the Constitutional Court.

Cannabis is legalized in South Africa, through a ruling of the Constitutional Court.

2008

Thabo Mbeki resigns as president of South Africa.

Thabo Mbeki resigns as president of South Africa.

1900

Peace congress in Paris condemns British policy in South Africa and asserts Boer Republic's right to self-determination.

Peace congress in Paris condemns British policy in South Africa and asserts Boer Republic's right to self-determination.

1899

The Second Boer War erupts in South Africa between the British-ruled Cape Colony, and the Boer-ruled Transvaal and…

The Second Boer War erupts in South Africa between the British-ruled Cape Colony, and the Boer-ruled Transvaal and Orange Free State.

1998

In South Africa, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission presents its report, which condemns both sides for committing…

In South Africa, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission presents its report, which condemns both sides for committing atrocities.

1927

Charles Lindbergh takes off for Paris from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, N

Charles Lindbergh takes off for Paris from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, N.Y., aboard the Spirit of St. Louis on the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, landing 33+1⁄2 hours later.

1973

A fire at a house in Hull, England, which kills a six-year-old boy is passed off as an accident; it later emerges as the

A fire at a house in Hull, England, which kills a six-year-old boy is passed off as an accident; it later emerges as the first of 26 deaths by fire caused over the next seven years by serial arsonist�

2018

Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 MAX, crashes after taking off from Jakarta, Indonesia killing 189 people on board.…

Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 MAX, crashes after taking off from Jakarta, Indonesia killing 189 people on board. This is the first of two crashes that will lead to the plane being grounded worldw�

1942

World War II: Allied forces commence the Second Battle of El Alamein, which proves to be the key turning point in the…

World War II: Allied forces commence the Second Battle of El Alamein, which proves to be the key turning point in the North African campaign.

1842

The first edition of The Illustrated London News, the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine, was published

The first edition of The Illustrated London News, the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine, was published.

1916

World War I: First day on the Somme: On the first day of the Battle of the Somme 19,000 soldiers of the British Army…

World War I: First day on the Somme: On the first day of the Battle of the Somme 19,000 soldiers of the British Army are killed and 40,000 wounded.

1958

The world's first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, becomes the first vessel to complete a submerged transit of the…

The world's first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, becomes the first vessel to complete a submerged transit of the geographical North Pole.

1939

First flight of the turbojet-powered Heinkel He 178, the world's first jet aircraft.

First flight of the turbojet-powered Heinkel He 178, the world's first jet aircraft.

1917

World War I: beginning of the First Battle of Monte Grappa (in Italy known as the "First Battle of the Piave"). The…

World War I: beginning of the First Battle of Monte Grappa (in Italy known as the "First Battle of the Piave"). The Austro-Hungarian Armed Forces, despite help from the German Alpenkorps and numerical�

1962

The Seattle World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition) opens

The Seattle World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition) opens. It is the first World's Fair in the United States since World War II.

2017

Former Formula One driver Takuma Sato wins his first Indianapolis 500, the first Japanese and Asian driver to do so

Former Formula One driver Takuma Sato wins his first Indianapolis 500, the first Japanese and Asian driver to do so. Double world champion Fernando Alonso retires from an engine issue in his first ent�

1917

The first Pulitzer Prizes are awarded: Laura E

The first Pulitzer Prizes are awarded: Laura E. Richards, Maude H. Elliott, and Florence Hall receive the first Pulitzer for biography (for Julia Ward Howe). Jean Jules Jusserand receives the first Pu�