Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at Large

July 3rd: The Battle Of Gettysburg Concluded With 51,000 Casualties

3Jul

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

July 3rd: The Battle Of Gettysburg Concluded With 51,000 Casualties

What Happened On July 3rd? As dawn broke on July 3, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg reached its conclusion, altering the trajectory of the Civil War in favor of the Union. This decisive day ended a ferocious three-day conflict, which became synonymous with some of the fiercest fighting of the war. The Pennsylvania countryside bore witness to a clash that would determine the nation's future. Gathering Storms The days preceding the final confrontation were met with incessant combat. On July 1st, General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia engaged with General George G. Meade's Union Army of the Potomac, resulting in substantial casualties on both sides. The following day was marred by brutal attacks at strategic locations such as Little Round Top, Devil's Den, ...

June 30th: Siberian Forest Scorched By Meteor Explosion

30Jun

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

Science & Industry

June 30th: Siberian Forest Scorched By Meteor Explosion

What Happened On June 30th? On June 30, 1908, the quiet forest near the Tunguska River's met with an explosion so massive that it flattened approximately 2,000 square kilometers of woodland. Known as the Tunguska Event, the devastation most likely resulted from the explosion of an asteroid or comet, making it the largest impact event in recorded history. Fire In The Sky! Early in the morning, the indigenous Evenki people and Russian settlers in the region saw a fireball streak across the sky. Witnesses described it as a blinding light, moving swiftly and growing increasingly intense. Moments later, a massive explosion shook the earth. The force of the blast knocked people off their feet, shattered windows, and sent a shockwave that circled the globe twice. In the days followin...

June 28th: Archduke Ferdinand & Wife Assassinated, Beginning WWI

28Jun

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

World History

June 28th: Archduke Ferdinand & Wife Assassinated, Beginning WWI

What Happened On June 28th? On June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, a single gunshot plunged the world into unprecedented conflict. The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie ended two lives and ignited the fuse for World War I. The Fatal Visit Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, arrived in Sarajevo with his wife Sophie for an official visit. The city, part of the empire's volatile Balkan territories, simmered with ethnic tensions and nationalist fervor. The couple's visit aimed to demonstrate Austro-Hungarian strength and unity, but it turned into a tragic moment in history. Plotting Armageddon Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group, had carefully planned the assassination with other conspirators. T...

June 27th: The First Ever Ebola Victim Became Sick

27Jun

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

World History

June 27th: The First Ever Ebola Victim Became Sick

What Happened On June 27th? On June 27, 1976, in the quiet township of Nzara, Sudan, a factory storekeeper fell ill, unknowingly becoming the first victim of what would soon be known as one of the deadliest viruses in human history: Ebola. Viral Dawn & The First Infections Nzara, a small town known for its cotton factory, bustled with routine activity that morning. The storekeeper went about his usual tasks, but by afternoon, he suffered from severe symptoms that puzzled local health workers. High fever, severe headache, and muscle pain quickly escalated to vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding. The Virus Spreads The disease spread rapidly. Within days, several factory workers and their families exhibited similar symptoms. Nzara's modest healthcare facilities quickly became ...

June 24th: Soviet Union Blocked All Access To West Berlin

24Jun

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

World History

June 24th: Soviet Union Blocked All Access To West Berlin

What Happened On June 24th? On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union initiated the Berlin Blockade, aiming to force the Allied powers out of Berlin. This aggressive move set the stage for a dramatic showdown in Europe and tested the resolve of the Western Allies. A Divided Germany's Brewing Storm After World War II, Germany lay in ruins, divided into four zones controlled by the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, and France. Berlin, located deep within the Soviet zone, was also split among the four powers. Tensions grew as ideological differences between the Western Allies and the Soviets became clear. By 1947, relations between the former wartime allies had deteriorated. The United States and Britain sought to revive Germany’s economy through the Marshall Plan, which provide...

June 23rd: The UK Voted & Left The European Union

23Jun

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

World History

June 23rd: The UK Voted & Left The European Union

What Happened On June 23rd? On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum that altered its relationship with Europe and the world. Citizens across the UK voted on whether to remain in or leave the European Union, a decision known as Brexit. From Westminster To Worries Years of growing dissatisfaction with the EU among segments of the British population led to the referendum. Issues like immigration, economic control, and national identity fueled debates. Prominent political figures, including then-Prime Minister David Cameron, sought to renegotiate the UK’s terms of EU membership. Despite securing some concessions, Cameron promised a referendum to settle the issue once and for all. The Labour Party had initially proposed the idea of a referendum in the 1970s when the...

June 20th: Kazimierz Piechowski Escaped From Auschwitz Concentration Camp

20Jun

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

World History

June 20th: Kazimierz Piechowski Escaped From Auschwitz Concentration Camp

What Happened On June 20th? On June 20, 1942, Kazimierz Piechowski and three fellow prisoners made a legendary escape from the Auschwitz concentration camp. This act of defiance against the Nazi regime demonstrated the indomitable human spirit. Kazimierz Piechowski, a Polish political prisoner, had been imprisoned in Auschwitz since 1940. As a member of the Polish resistance, the Gestapo captured him and sent him to the notorious camp. Life in Auschwitz was brutal, with prisoners subjected to hard labor, starvation, and constant threat of death. Despite these conditions, Piechowski and his compatriots planned a daring escape. How Did They Plan This? Piechowski, along with fellow prisoners Józef Lempart, a priest, Eugeniusz Bendera, a mechanic, and Stanisław Gustaw Jaster, a fo...

June 19th: U.S. Senate Passed The Bill, The Civil Rights Act Of 1964

19Jun

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

U.S. History

June 19th: U.S. Senate Passed The Bill, The Civil Rights Act Of 1964

What Happened On June 19th? On June 19, 1964, the U.S. Senate made a decision that profoundly changed American society. After a long and difficult fight, the Senate passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law aimed to end segregation and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was not just a legal change but a big step toward justice and equality in the United States. The Civil Rights Movement, which had gained momentum throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, set the stage for this essential law. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and many others tirelessly advocated for equal rights and the end of Jim Crow laws. The Struggle In The Senate The Senate, known for its slow and deliberate process, became the battleground where the C...

June 17th: The Statue of Liberty Shipped & Arrived In New York

17Jun

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

U.S. History

June 17th: The Statue of Liberty Shipped & Arrived In New York

What Happened On June 17th? On a summer day, June 17, 1885, New York Harbor saw the arrival of the Statue of Liberty from France. The statue came in 350 pieces and was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. As a gift from France to celebrate the American Declaration of Independence's centennial, the gift honored the enduring friendship between the two nations. Liberty In Pieces The statue was taken apart and packed into 214 crates for its voyage aboard the French ship Isère. The trip faced many challenges, including rough seas that threatened the cargo. Upon arrival in New York, a crowd of thousands gathered. Piecing Together Freedom People might have imagined that the statue would be met with immediate fanfare and celebration. However, the process was far ...

June 16th: The World’s First Tobacco Ban Enacted In Bhutan

16Jun

By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments

World History

June 16th: The World’s First Tobacco Ban Enacted In Bhutan

What Happened On June 16th? On June 16, 2010, Bhutan enacted the Tobacco Control Act, building on the 2004 ban to further eliminate tobacco use. The act introduced stricter measures to combat tobacco use, which reflected Bhutan's dedication to public health and Gross National Happiness (GNH). Rolling Out The Ban The Tobacco Control Act involved intense discussions and careful planning. Members of the National Assembly and National Council debated the cultural values and practical challenges of enforcing strict rules. The act showed the government's determination to protect citizens' health with some of the world's toughest anti-tobacco laws. The Act banned the cultivation, manufacture, supply, and sale of tobacco products. Importing tobacco for personal use was allowed but sub...