This Day in History Class

On this day in 1453, Constantinople was captured by the Ottoman Empire, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1831, abolitionist and religious leader Eliza Ann Gardner was born in New York. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1930, the Chrysler Building in Manhattan was completed. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1897, the novel "Dracula" was published. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1925, Mexican writer Rosario Castellanos was born. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1940, a group of Stalinist agents attempted to assassinate Leon Trotsky. Less than three months later, another Stalinist agent killed Trotsky. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1951, Tibet signed the Seventeen Point Agreement, which affirmed China's sovereignty over Tibet. There is controversy over the validity of the document and China's adherence to it. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1915, an explosive eruption of Lassen Peak in northern California devastated the areas around the volcano. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1917, a fire tore through the city of Atlanta, displacing around 10,000 people and destroying nearly 2,000 buildings. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1902, Cuba gained independence from the U.S. after years of U.S. military occupation following the Spanish-American War. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1780, the sky in New England and parts of Canada turned unusually dark in an event remembered as the "Dark Day." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1953, aviator Jackie Cochran became the first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1954, groundwork began on the CERN site at Meyrin in Geneva, Switzerland. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1966, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued the May 16 Notification, marking the start of the Cultural Revolution. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1903, mathematician and archaeologist Maria Reiche was born. Throughout her life, Reiche was dedicated to studying the Nazca Lines. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1878, a suit was brought against Daniel Spofford in Salem, Massachusetts, for allegedly practicing mesmerism on Lucretia Brown. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1861, Australian amateur astronomer John Tebbutt first observed the Great Comet of 1861. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1941, civil engineer and inventor Konrad Zuse, who worked in Nazi Germany, unviled the first full functional, programmable computer. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1895, composer William Grant Still was born in Mississippi. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1919, a riot began when white sailors began attacking Black people in Charleston, South Carolina. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1671, Thomas Blood attempted to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1963, South Vietnamese soldiers and security forces fired into a crowd of unarmed Buddhist protesters, marking the start of the Buddhist crisis. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1794, the Cult of the Supreme Being -- a cult established by Maximilien Robespierre -- was authorized by a decree of the National Convention. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this day in 1882, U.S. President Chester A. Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned the immigration of Chinese laborers for 10 years, though Congress later extended it. Listen to the episode on the Rock Springs Massacre here: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-this-day-in-history-class-29520957/episode/rock-springs-massacre-september-2-48682206/ Learn more about your ad-choices at...

On this day in 1905, the Stratton brothers' trial began in England. It was the first recorded murder trial in England to use fingerprints as evidence. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.