workmen laid the cornerstone of the United States Executive Mansion—an act marking the symbolic birth of what would later become known as the White House. The event unfolded amid the fields and forests of a fledgling federal city that existed mostly on paper, a…
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On October 13, 54 AD, the Roman Emperor Claudius died under mysterious circumstances, widely believed to be the result of poisoning. Claudius, who had come to power unexpectedly following the assassination of his nephew, Emperor Caligula, ruled the Roman Empire for 13 years. Despite…
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On October 13, 1269, Westminster Abbey was consecrated after the completion of Lady Chapel. This beautiful chapel, with its remarkable gothic architecture and intricate stained glass windows, has been a focal point for prayer, reflection, and religious ceremonies for centuries. The consecration marked a…
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On October 12, 539 BC, one of the most dramatic and consequential events in ancient history unfolded: the fall of Babylon to the army of Cyrus the Great, king of Persia. The conquest did not merely mark the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire—it signaled…
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On October 12, 1828, the suffering at Boston’s Children’s Hospital got a breath of fresh air by deploying the iron lung for the first time. In the annals of medical history, one invention stands as a testament to human ingenuity, a life-saving marvel known…
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On October 11, 1865, hundreds of Black men and women gathered in the coastal town of Morant Bay, Jamaica, to protest against the deep injustices that had come to define post-emancipation colonial life. Their march—disciplined, defiant, and desperate—would ignite one of the most consequential…
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On October 11, 1962, the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) opened, marking the first ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church in 92 years. This historic event was initiated by Pope John XXIII, who sought to bring the Church into greater engagement with the…
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On October 11, 1975, Americans began laughing on Saturday nights. Saturday Night Live (SNL) made its television debut on NBC. Created by Lorne Michaels, the concept of the show was to provide a platform for the best comedic talent of the time to showcase…
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On October 10, 1913, President Woodrow Wilson pressed a telegraph key in Washington, D.C., sending an electrical signal across more than 2,000 miles that detonated dynamite charges deep in the jungles of Panama. The explosion tore through the Gamboa Dike, the last barrier separating…
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On October 10, 2002, the U.S. Congress approved the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, often referred to as the Iraq War Resolution. The move marked a major step toward war, giving President George W. Bush the power to use military action…
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