World Events Today
- The Charter of the United Nations, a commitment to uphold the human rights of citizens and fundamental freedom for all, without distinction to race, sex, language, or religion, was signed today in 1945 by 50 countries
- Whilst in West Berlin, the United States President, John F Kennedy, made his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” Cold War speech today in 1963
- The United States returned the island of Iwo Jima to Japan today in 1968
Entertainment Events Today
- The silent comedy movie The Gold Rush, written, produced, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, was released today in 1925, it was one of his greatest movies
- Elvis Presley, “The King”, performed his last live concert today in 1977, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis
- The first novel in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, also known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was published today in 1997
Family Events Today
- Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk, better known as “Colonel Tom” Parker, manager of the rock and roll legend Elvis Presley, was born today in 1909 in the Netherlands
- The American musician Chris Isaak, best known for his hit single Wicked Game, was born today in 1956 in California
- The married couple Sonny and Cher, who had the hit single I Got You Babe, were divorced today in 1975
Main Event Today
- With the exchange of ratifications of the 1842 Treaty of Nanking, Hong Kong was established as a British Crown colony today in 1843
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Chocolate Pudding Day