Magazine Posts

"On 29 October 1969, two scientists established a connection between computers some 350 miles away and started typing a message. Halfway through, it crashed. They sat down with the BBC 55 years later"......"I was on the phone with Bill when we tried this. I told him I typed the letter L. He told me he had received the letter L and echoed it back. I told him that it printed. Then I typed the letter O. Again, it worked fine. I typed the letter G. Bill told me his system had crashed, and he would call me back"..... Read more at The BBC ➜

"While most love songs are inspired by the joys and heartaches of romantic relationships, love between friends can be just as intense and complicated. Many people struggle to make and maintain friendships, and a falling-out with a close friend can be as painful as a breakup with a partner." More at The Conversation ➜

Pablo Picasso's masterpiece, Guernica was painted in 1937 when he was commissioned by the Spanish Republican government to create a mural for the Spanish Pavilion at the Paris International Exposition. The inspiration for this piece came in the most unexpected and tragic way. On April 26, 1937, the town of Guernica, in Vizcaya, was bombed for about two hours during the Spanish Civil War by warplanes of the Nazi Germany Condor Legion, commanded by Colonel Wolfram von Richthofen, in support of the Nationalistic Spanish rebels led by Francisco Franco. The horrific carpet bombing attack was the first of its kind in history and reportedly an opportunity to test out new weapons and tactics.
Picasso completed the work quickly on June 4 1937, a grey, black and white painting, on a canvas 11 ft 5 in tall and 25 ft 6 in across, which portrays the suffering brought by violence and chaos. Prominently featured in the composition are a gored horse, a bull, screaming women, a dead baby, a dismembered soldier, and flames.captured the horror and desolation caused by the war.

In 1939, after being displayed in parts of Europe before WWII broke out, the painting was sent to New York on a tour for the benefit of the Spanish Refugee Committee. When World War II broke out later that year, Picasso requested that Guernica, as well as a number of other of his works, be held at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) on extended loan. Most of his works were returned to Europe after the war, however Picasso  asked that Guernica stay at the MoMA until the “reestablishment of public liberties” in Spain. The death of Picasso in 1973 and objections by Picasso's heirs who questioned Spain’s democratic credentials delayed Guernica's return to Spain until September 10, 1981 after being in the custody of New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for more than four decades.

Once landed in Madrid, the work was initially installed in the Casón del Buen Retiro, which was specially adapted to exhibit it under special security conditions, with armored glass protection. This location had a special significance since it was part of the Prado Museum of which Picasso was director. Later, in July 1992, the work made a final trip to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.

"Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has expressed his intention, if elected to a second term, to use the U.S. armed forces to suppress domestic protests. The New York Times reports that Trump’s allies are marshaling legal arguments to justify using National Guard or active-duty military troops for crowd control." More at The Conversation ➜

August stands at the center of decisive turning points in power, science, and global conflict. At Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce secured Scotland’s independence. The Battle of Bosworth Field ended the Wars of the Roses. France adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man, and Eunice Newton Foote recognized the greenhouse effect—an early insight into atmospheric science. Even Cologne Cathedral, centuries in the making, was finally completed.

Modern history adds its own defining moments in August. The discovery of gold in the Klondike sparked a rush to the Yukon. Allied forces liberated Paris from Nazi occupation. The atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. The first satellite image of Earth offered a new perspective on the planet itself.

Across centuries, August reflects both upheaval and transformation—moments when nations shift direction and scientific breakthroughs reshape understanding.

Explore the full collection of Today in History events that occurred in August, or jump directly to a specific day—from August 1 through August 31—to see what happened on this day in history.

Explore the timeline to see how August’s defining events echo through history and into the present day.

July brings moments of independence, imagination, and turning points in global history. NASA is founded, Disneyland opens its gates, and To Kill a Mockingbird is published—cultural landmarks that continue to influence generations. In earlier eras, the Amistad rebellion challenged the transatlantic slave trade, the Fourteenth Amendment reshaped American citizenship, and medieval battles and coronations redrew political maps across Europe and the Middle East.

Across centuries, July stands at the intersection of freedom, reform, and reinvention. From declarations and reforms to scientific milestones and artistic achievements, the month reflects both decisive action and lasting impact.

Explore the full collection of Today in History events that occurred in July, or jump directly to a specific day—from July 1 through July 31—to see what happened on this day in history.

Browse the timeline to research a date or trace the defining moments that give July its place in history.

On June 14 , 1777, the Second Continental Congress issued a resolution adopting the Flag of the United States. It wasn't until 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law.

There have been twenty-seven official versions of the flag to date. The current version of the flag dates to August 21, 1959, after Hawaii became the fiftieth state. More

June brings together defining moments in empire, revolution, and innovation across centuries. From the death of Alexander the Great to the rise of the Tang Dynasty in China, the month reflects pivotal shifts in power. King John sealed the Magna Carta at Runnymede, while battles from Manzikert to Bunker Hill and the Little Bighorn reshaped nations. Explorers like Sir Francis Drake pushed the boundaries of the known world.

Across history, June marks turning points where new eras begin. Political upheaval, scientific discovery, and cultural milestones continue to influence how societies evolve and grow.

Modern history adds its own defining chapters. The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor. Gandhi launched his first act of civil disobedience. Einstein introduced the Special Theory of Relativity. Ford helped expand the automobile industry, Apple released the Apple II, and the Watergate scandal reshaped American politics. From the end of Soviet occupation in East Germany to the creation of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, June continues to reflect moments that shape the future.

Explore historical events in June by browsing the full timeline, or jump to a specific day—from June 1 through June 30—to see what happened on this day in history.

Memorial Day honors all service members who lost their lives while in service to the United States, during peace and war. It is a time to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

            Immortality

   Do not stand 
        By my grave, and weep.
   I am not there,
       I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
    Do not stand
        By my grave, and cry—
     I am not there,
          I did not die.

Poem by Clare Harner, The Gypsy, December 1934 (page 16). The poem is often attributed to anonymous or incorrect sources. Read more about Memorial day:  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs   -   National Museum of American History

May stands at the crossroads of exploration, conflict, and discovery. Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo flight across the Atlantic. Allied forces evacuate Dunkirk. Climbers reach the summit of Mount Everest for the first time. Earlier centuries bring the First Council of Nicaea, the founding of Jamestown, and Johannes Kepler’s third law of planetary motion.

Across centuries, events in May reflect periods of rapid change. New ideas emerge, conflicts reshape nations, and discoveries push human understanding forward. These moments span continents and eras, connecting ancient history with the modern world.

Explore the full collection of Today in History events that occurred in May, or jump directly to a specific day—from May 1 through May 31—to see what happened on this day in history.

Browse the timeline to research a specific date or explore the defining events that give May its place in history.

March has repeatedly marked turning points in history. Julius Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon set a Roman civil war in motion. Power struggles reshaped medieval England as battles shifted crowns and dynasties. Emperor Charles V issued the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther a heretic and setting the course of the Protestant Reformation. Again and again, March shows how ambition, belief, and authority redefine nations.

Modern history continues that pattern. Franklin D. Roosevelt took office as the 32nd U.S. president, declaring, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” World War II came to an end. Alcatraz Federal Prison closed its doors. Pioneer 10 launched toward Jupiter, opening a new era of space exploration. The month also witnessed Mikhail Gorbachev’s rise as the Soviet Union’s first president, Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, and the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Explore historical events throughout March by browsing the full month timeline, or jump to a specific date to see what happened on this day in history—from March 1 through March 31. Use the timeline to research individual years or trace the moments that shaped March’s place in history.

Leadership, discovery, and global change often define February. From George Washington’s birth and the founding of the Boy Scouts to the Yalta Conference and the discovery of Pluto, events in February highlight decisions and breakthroughs that shaped nations and expanded human understanding.

Across eras, February often marks turning points—when alliances form, ideas take hold, and scientific advances push history in new directions. These moments show how even a short month can leave a lasting imprint on the world.

Explore historical events throughout February by viewing the full month timeline, or jump to a specific date to see what happened on this day in history—from February 1 through February 28 (or 29). Use the timeline to research individual dates or trace the events that define February’s place in history.