Atomic BOMBS, Civil Rights and the Mayan Calendar
Giving you the full scoop on the historical events of this week and keeping you up to date with the latest news and finds about history.
This Week In History
August 6th, 1945
The United States of America drops the atomic bomb named Little Boy on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The bombing was the first-ever use of a nuclear weapon in warfare. Japan is devastated when the atomic bomb is dropped and 70,000 people are killed instantly, and some tens of thousands die in subsequent years from burns and radiation poisoning.
August 7th, 936
King Otto I of House Habsburg is crowned King of Germany. This was the first major title held by a member of the Habsburg. The Habsburg Dynasty would rule various parts of Europe for the next 900 years.
August 8th, 1965
US President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law. The landmark legislation was designed to address and eliminate racial discrimination in voting practices and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their race or ethnicity, could exercise their right to vote.
August 9th, 1945
Nagasaki is devastated when an atomic bomb, Fat Man, is dropped by the United States B-29 Bockscar. 35,000 people are killed outright. This was the second and last time that nuclear weapons have been used in war.
August 10th, 1988
U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, providing $20,000 payments to Japanese Americans who were either interned in or relocated by the United States during World War II.
August 11th, 3114 BC
The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, used by several pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations, notably the Maya, begins.
August 12th, 1964
South Africa is banned from the Olympic Games due to the country's racist policies. For the next 30 years, South Africa would face Anti-Apartheid sentiment from various members of the global community, including economic sanctions from the United Nations General Assembly.
Looking Back In Time
Speaking of the Olympics, I came across this cool photo from the 1984 Open Ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympic Games. Due to diplomatic tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, the United States decided to boycott the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. In 1984, The Soviet Union returned the favor and boycotted the ‘84 LA Games. Soviets claimed they had concerns over the safety of their athletes in what they called an anti-communist environment.
Since the USA had the world stage, they decided to put on a show. During the opening ceremonies, William Suitor surprised millions of viewers around the world by flying across the Olympic stadium using his futuristic jet pack. We now have this awesome photo from the 1984 Olympics to immortalize the spectacle put on by the Americans in the City of Angels.
History News
A groundbreaking archaeological discovery has been made during excavations at Exeter Cathedral in England. Experts have uncovered the original foundations of the church's 12th-century high altar, a medieval crypt with the tombs of two bishops. This momentous find has been described as "the most exciting archaeological discovery ever made" at the site, according to an official statement.
The excavation was conducted as part of preparations for the installation of a more environmentally friendly underfloor heating system and to undertake extensive conservation work on the historic building.
Exeter Cathedral was founded by Saint Edward the Confessor in 1050 and construction began in 1114, featuring Norman architectural style. Some parts of the original building, like two towers and nave walls, remain, but the rest was rebuilt in the Decorated Gothic style between 1270 and 1350. Today, it serves as a prominent Anglican church, offering educational programs and exhibitions about its rich history, including rare texts like Shakespeare's Second Folio and its connections to royalty.
