ON THIS DAY: 30 January 1948

Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in the grounds of Birla House (renamed Gandhi Smriti) in New Delhi, India, on his way to conducting a multi-faith prayer meeting. His assassin, Nathuram Godse, a Chitpavan Brahmin from Pune in Maharashtra, was a Hindu nationalist who thought Gandhi was too accommodating in the Partition of India and Pakistan. Godse … Read more

ON THIS DAY: 14 January 1697

Salem Witch Trials

The general court of the Province of Massachusetts Bay ordered a day of public fasting and prayer for atonement because of the legal persecution of witches. Twelve of the jurors of the Court of Ayer and Terminer who investigated over 200 accusations of witchcraft signed a statement of apology for their part in the Salem … Read more

ON THIS DAY: 6 January 1066

King Harald

Harold Godwinson was crowned King Harold II of England. He succeeded King Edward the Confessor who had promised the throne to William of Normandy, later known as William the Conqueror, only to retract the offer on his deathbed. Harold’s reign was beset from the outset with threats not only from William but also from his … Read more