Abdication Of Edward VIII
A royal family’s reputation must always stay intact for the people to believe in them. Edward VIII damaged that reputation after abdicating the throne. He ruled for less than a year.
The only reason for Edward VIII to abdicate was love-related. Because he married a divorced woman, his relationship wasn’t accepted by the church. The abdication quickly made the front page of all UK newspapers.
JFK’s Assassination
The 35th President of the United States was shot while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. As the tragic scene was recorded, the world watched how vulnerable a person of interest can be.
Newspapers informed on the tragedy and the investigation of the murder of JFK. The assassin –in this headline, still a suspect– was quickly placed in the spotlight.
Nelson Mandela Freed
Apartheid ended in 1992 after victoriously knocking the system down. Nelson Mandela was part of that long-lasting battle. He became a symbol who spent 27 years in prison.
After 27 years of jail, over 50,000 people gathered in Cape Town to celebrate Mandela’s freedom. He was set free in 1990. Two years later, he won his lifetime battle against apartheid.
Death Of Freddie Mercury
Losing a talented singer and performer like Freddie Mercury was mournful back in 1991. His fans and the world didn’t know that he was fighting a secret battle against AIDS until the day he passed away.
Back in those days when there was no cure for AIDS thousands lost their lives to the disease. Unfortunately, Freddie Mercury was one of them. He will always be remembered as a legend.
Marilyn Monroe’s Wedding
The wedding of Marilyn Monroe made the front page in 1954. The beautiful actress and Joe Di Maggio tied the knot at San Francisco City Hall on January 14, 1954.
All newspapers printed pictures of the newlywed couple. However, it was a short-lived marriage: nine months later, newspapers were only writing about the actress filing for divorce.
The assassination of Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King was a minister and activist who became a leader in the civil rights movement. He became the symbol of the fight for social justice. In 1968, the world lost this incredible leader.
Martin Luther King Jr. was shot dead when he was on the balcony of a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. The assassin later confessed the crime and was sentenced to prison for life.
Walk On Moon
The world watched their black and white TVs as Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. Newspapers all over the world were quick to report on the breakthrough.
Millions on Earth heard the astronaut’s statement: “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” said Armstrong while standing on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969.
Elvis Presley Passed Away
Elvis Presley, widely known as the King of Rock and Roll, was a 50s and 60s legend. His songs were played in all corners of the world. Unfortunately, the icon passed away in 1977.
The singer and actor died at age 42 of a heart attack. The toxicology report indicated that the performer had been consuming different kinds of drugs. Losing an icon like Elvis was tough.
World War I
Announcing that your country is entering into war must be a hard task for a newspaper. It must be done accurately. On August 5, 1914, The Times released a clear front page containing only three words.
“Britain at war,” read the newspaper headline of that day. Those three words said more than a thousand words. It was a shocking front page for the British people. World War I was coming for them.
Cuban Missile Crisis
President John F. Kennedy had to make a tough decision in 1962. When he found out that the Soviet Union was building nuclear missile sites in Cuba, he took the matter into his own hands.
On October 22, 1962, the President spoke to the American people about his decision to invade Cuba. He was ordering a naval blockade to be placed around the island of Cuba. His speech was televised.
Wanted!
The Daily Mirror made an impressive front page back on September 4, 1939. The newspaper was making clear to its audience who Adolf Hitler was and what he did.
“WANTED! For murder… for kidnapping… for theft and for arson. This reckless criminal is wanted –dead or alive!” read the front page. It had a detailed physical description and the crimes he committed, along with photos of his face.
Baby Found Dead
Charles Lindbergh’s baby boy was kidnapped from his home in 1932. The kidnapper climbed up a ladder to the baby’s room, took the child, and left a note demanding $50,000.
The police investigation was leading nowhere until the kidnapper demanded $20,000 more. After all, the police found the body of the infant less than a mile from home. He was killed the night of the kidnapping.
Too Skinny
“Too skinny” and “thin” were the terms used to describe Lady Di after noticing substantial changes in her body. The press wouldn’t refrain from talking about the Princess of Wales even after knowing she had just given birth to two beautiful sons.
This newspaper, in particular, compares Lady Di before getting married as opposed to when she was already a mom-of-two. Wouldn’t motherhood be reason enough for her being too skinny?
World War II
The attack on Pearl Harbor made the US reflect on its actions. On December 11, 1941, the nation issued an official statement formally declaring war on Germany and Italy.
The US wouldn’t let Hitler and Mussolini get away with it. As the country faced a new war ahead, newspapers showed confidence despite the loss of hundreds in Hawaii.
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow was a promising actress in Hollywood. She was in her 20s and had already secured roles in great movies. However, the beautiful blonde actress died on June 7, 1937.
Back in those days, science wasn’t as developed as it is now, so doctors declared that she had died of uremic poisoning. Nowadays, we know that the real cause of death was a renal or kidney failure. The actress was only 26 years old.
Hemingway’s Are Survivors
What are the odds of surviving not only one but two plane crashes in two days? We believe it’s highly impossible, but the Hemingway’s certainly beat the odds. In 1953, the couple was involved in two plane crashes in Africa.
After the first plane crash, rumors about the couple’s death quickly spread. Newspapers published obituaries and front pages with photos of the couple when in fact, both of them were safe and sound.
Lincoln Shot
When The National News published that Lincoln had been shot, the former president was still alive, but there was no hope on behalf of the doctors who believed he wouldn’t live through the night.
On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot in the head by a well-known actor while he was enjoying his time at a theatre. His orchestrated death was part of a conspiracy to give life to the Confederate cause.
Titanic’s Plunge
The news of the sinking of the Titanic quickly spread back in 1912, except that it wasn’t accurate. At that time, it was hard to make an exact count of those who did and didn’t survive.
While the numbers were close, the newspapers would focus their attention on losing all male passengers. The event was described as a “great sea disaster for years.”
Queen Mother Dead
Every time a famous person dies, newspapers use the whole front page to write their name plus the word dead. It’s the only way to announce the death of someone whose loss is shocking.
When the Queen Mother died, there were no words to express grief. A picture of the Queen Mother smiling at the camera was enough to tell the world that a loved royal member had gone.
First Test-Tube Baby
Back in 1978, the idea of having a baby born by pulling the strings on a test-tube was revealing. Newspapers believed a “superbabe” was born. After all, it was just in vitro fertilization (IVF) coming to light.
The news of the newborn hit the front pages, as it was considered a scientific breakthrough. Who would have thought that, 40 years later, over 5 million babies would be born thanks to the IVF proceeding?
Saddam Hussein
The ex-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was captured by the United States on December 13, 2003. The country conducted a military operation called Red Dawn to finally capture the former President of Iraq.
The administration of President Bush was relieved after hearing such great news. However, Bush declared that Hussein’s arrest wouldn’t mean the end of violence in Iraq. He was aware that there was a long road ahead of him.
Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona was the best football player of all time. The news of his death on November 25, 2020, shocked the world. He was 60 years old when he died from a heart attack.
The Scottish Sun described Maradona as a “genius and world cup icon” and remembered the well-known “hand of God” goal that placed Argentina ahead of England back in 1986. It was hard to say goodbye to such a legend.
OJ, Not Guilty
The world watched the state of California placing Orenthal James Simpson on trial for the deaths of his ex-wife and her friend. The former National Football League player and actor was declared not guilty by a jury.
O.J. Simpson was facing a long life sentence, but he was acquitted of double murder after a jury found he was not guilty. The trial lasted for nine months. The world was shocked to see O.J. Simpson free.
President Trump
Under the campaign slogan “Make America Great Again,” Trump divided the country and won the 2016 election. The world watched the Republicans taking over the nation.
Clinton faced the defeat with a positive attitude. The world was shocked to see Trump in a victory, as no one would have thought the outcome of the election would turn out that way.
Diana Was In Hell
When Diana became Princess of Wales, the world watched a kindergarten teacher becoming a princess and living in a fairytale. Unfortunately, it was quite the opposite.
Only after Diana divorced Charles did we learn about the living hell she was in while being part of the monarchy. It was hard to expose her children, but it was time for the world to know the truth.
Black Tuesday
The Wall Street crash of 1929 marked history from an economic point of view. October 29, 1929, will always be remembered as Black Tuesday. It wasn’t as positive as Black Friday, though.
The event made the front pages of most newspapers, especially economic ones. The market hit rock bottom that day. A disastrous day that no one wants to remember.
Hitler Dead
The death of the Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler, hit the front pages back on April 30, 1945. Hitler was in his headquarters when he committed suicide. Before shooting himself in the head, he swallowed cyanide.
The world was relieved to see an oppressor go, and the media showed the same spirit. Full-page headlines with cheerful statements were all over the newspapers.
Albert Einstein
Nobel-Prize winner Dr. Albert Einstein was a jewel in the scientific community. He was a mathematician and physicist who worked on several relativity theories.
Dr. Einstein made a breakthrough discovery when he came up with the equation that unlocked the door to the atomic age. His work was the founding basis for later breakthroughs to come.
War Is Over
If World War I wasn’t disturbing enough, the second one must have turned people desperate. Reading a newspaper headline “War in Europe Over!” would have been a great relief for society.
Back in 1945, newspapers would only write about two things: war was over and nazis surrendered. However, there was a slight inconvenience that the newspaper didn’t miss: a battle in Japan was ahead. Apparently, not every war was over.
Lady Di Was Blessed
Prince Charles had a reputation for dating many women, none of which would serve the purpose the royals were looking for: a perfect wife and future queen. When Lady Diana appeared on the Prince’s radar, the Queen gave her automatic blessing.
The Queen didn’t have anything to argue about Diana –she was beautiful, humble, and held a good reputation. The Queen’s blessing made front pages, as she described Lady Di as “delightful.”
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s death was shocking news to the music industry. The King of Pop left the world on June 25, 2009, leaving behind an entire legacy of music.
The singer died at home at the age of 50. After investigation, it was determined that his physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, caused Jackson a cardiac arrest after administering lethal drugs to him.
Nixon Resigns
President Richard Nixon stepped down from the presidency on August 8, 1974. He was the first American president to resign. Vice President Gerald R. Ford took his place the same day.
Nixon’s presidency was tormented by the Watergate scandals. He addressed the nation from the Global Office, where he claimed that he was putting American interests first.
Civil Rights Bill
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 put an end to segregation in public places and discrimination based on gender, race, color, or religion after long-lasting battles fought by the civil rights movement.
President Johnson signed the bill and turned it into law, a powerful tool for society. The Civil Rights Act was considered the most sweeping civil rights bill since the Reconstruction days. It definitely marked history.
Can This Boy Save The Monarchy?
Lady Diana had always been in the spotlight since she entered the monarchy, attracting all the media’s attention. After divorcing Charles, she was still making full-page headlines.
After the royal couple divorced, the monarchy’s faith was placed in their son, Prince William. He was the promising jewel the monarchy held onto after a divorce that damaged the royal’s image.
Sinatra’s Son, Kidnapped
Frank Sinatra Jr., son of the most talented man on Earth, was kidnapped on December 8, 1963. The criminals were two 23-year-old who precariously orchestrated a crime to kidnap an innocent 19-year-old kid.
The kidnappers made their move while Frank Sinatra Jr. was about to perform in a California club. $240,000 in ransom was demanded, and the young singer was set free.
Whitney Houston
Singer Whitney Houston was found dead in a bathtub in a Los Angeles hotel room on February 12, 2012. The Grammy-winner admitted to having a turbulent life and using drugs. She was 48 years old.
Her magnificent voice took over the pop music era until her drug addiction made her step down the road. Additionally, she had a troubling marriage with Bobby Brown.
Heir At Last
The Daily Telegraph issued a special edition to announce the upcoming birth of Prince William’s son. The Royal Baby Special Edition was publishing that Kate Middleton went into labor.
News about the royal family automatically make headlines, especially those that involve a new heir. On July 22, 2013, Prince George of Cambridge was born.
Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin Wall took place on November 9, 1989. The historical event was later followed by the falling of the Iron Curtain.
The world watched Communism falling apart in Eastern and Central Europe. Newspapers all over the world made front pages of the event.
Glenn In Orbit
John Glenn is an astronaut who quickly became a hero for the American people. On February 20, 1962, Glenn was set to orbit Earth. “The view is tremendous,” he said.
The astronaut circled the globe not only once, but three times. The event had full media coverage, as he was the first American to orbit Earth.
George Harrison, Stabbed
One of the Beatles, George Harrison, got stabbed at his own house in 1999. The rock star was at his mansion when an intruder attacked him. Fortunately, he didn’t have any major injuries.
The music performer was in the company of his wife and son when the attack took place. He had been stabbed before, but he always managed to stay alive.
Patty Hearst Arrested
Patty Hearst was 20 years old when in 1974, the Symbionese Liberation Army kidnapped her. The police searched for her for 19 months, as she ultimately joined the group and committed countless crimes.
As controversial as it may be, she became a criminal for the same organization that kidnapped, tortured and raped her. When police found her, she was immediately arrested, and bail was set at $1 million.
It’s A Boy!
Queen Elizabeth II was making full front pages even before becoming a queen. She knew that the Crown was her inevitable fate, but she didn’t know that her uncle would abdicate the throne and his father would pass away too soon.
In 1948, the future Queen of England announced that she was having a baby boy, and the people of London celebrated with her.
Prohibition Ends!
There was a long time ago when alcohol was prohibited. Thankfully, the prohibition ended over a hundred years ago. Back in those days, the law prohibited the sale, manufacture and transportation of intoxicating liquors.
Imagine the joy and excitement the people had in the streets when the prohibition ended. All types of events were held to celebrate new wineries, distilleries and breweries.
San Francisco In Ruins
On April 18, 1906, the people of San Francisco woke up to one of the most deadly natural disasters they ever had. The event was named “The Great 1906 Earthquake” for the damage caused.
Geologists were astonished to see numerous displacements and ruptures that took place that day. Fire and chaos left the beautiful city of San Francisco in ruins.
The Loss Of Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart was an American aviator who had the world at her feet. She was the first woman aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
In July 1937, Amelia set to circumnavigate the globe but disappeared over the Pacific. Unfortunately, neither she nor her plane were ever found. Her disappearance remains a mystery.
Maggie Wins Again!
The people of Great Britain had a Queen as head of State. In the 80s, they chose to have Margaret Thatcher leading Her Majesty’s government. She was the first female prime minister in Britain.
Thatcher led the Conservative Party since 1975. She held her position for eleven years until 1990 when she decided to withdraw from the election. Margaret fulfilled her role with leadership and power.
Kennedy Dead
The death of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was one of the most tragic events in American history. JFK was riding a presidential motorcade in Dealey Plaza when he was shot to death.
Kennedy was joined by his wife in the motorcade when he died. He was the fourth president in office to be killed. A former US Marine was found guilty of murder.
World Mourns Diana
The sudden, unexpected death of Lady Di left the world in tears. One day after her death, on September 1, 1997, newspapers started to put the blame on photographers. They were believed to cause the car crash.
Diana, her boyfriend and the driver lost their lives that night. The tragic death of the Princess set an unintentional limit to intruding photographers who wouldn’t have an ounce of respect for someone’s private life.
Paul Quits
The Beatles caused a huge success back in the 60s. The fame gained from being a member of a rock band wasn’t enough for Paul McCartney, so he decided to quit the band.
On April 10th, 1970, Paul announced that he was leaving. Fans saw it coming, as many suspected it was the band’s inevitable fate. Their breaking up didn’t take their fame and success away, though.
It’s A Boy!
The world waited for news about the new member of the royal family, second in line to the throne after Prince Charles, and the first son of the adorable Princess of Wales. Newspapers covered Diana’s whole pregnancy.
Diana had a reputation for her kindness, as she was admired for her love for children. After she gave birth to Prince William, newspapers were following up on every detail. “He has blue eyes,” “The Princess is doing well,” were some of the most common headlines.
Hemingway Shoots Himself
Author Ernest Hemingway saw death walking past his nose twice in a couple of months when he survived two plane crashes. But the third was the last. On July 2nd, 1961, the author shot himself.
Newspapers announced the tragedy and quoted his wife, who firmly believed the man had an accident while cleaning his gun. The speculation on the author’s committing suicide stays on foot.
The Hindenburg Disaster
“Hindenburg blast kills 35” read the local newspaper, announcing one of the most tragic airship accidents in New Jersey. The German airship caught fire while landing.
35 people lost their lives in the Hindenburg Disaster on May 6, 1937. The event had full media coverage, though the causes of the airship failure are still unknown.
Queen of England
King George was head of the Commonwealth for thirteen years after his big brother abdicated the throne. When he passed away, he left the throne to his eldest daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
The newspapers were making full front pages to announce the accession of their new Queen. The people loved their King and so loved their Queen.
Searching Amelia
The world was shocked to hear such sad news. A thorough search was conducted by the navy, but Amelia Earhart didn’t leave a single trail. She disappeared while circumnavigating the globe.
Pictures of the bravest woman on Earth were published on the front page of every newspaper. After conducting a search, investigators believed that she could have landed in shark-infested waters.
Worst Royal Scandal
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the monarchy following the racist allegations was considered a huge scandal. They bought themselves a ticket to the front pages the moment they disclosed everything.
The monarchy is sealed from the inside, but Harry and Meghan opened a door that would never be closed again. The couple dropped a bombshell in the 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Judy Garland Dead
Actress and singer Judy Garland was found dead in his home on June 22, 1969. It was his husband who found her unconscious. The performer was 47 years old.
The star was believed to have accidentally overdosed, as confirmed by the autopsy. However, some sources confirmed that she was suffering from drug addiction and had an overdose.
President Roosevelt
The 1932 presidential election led to Franklin D. Roosevelt, the democratic candidate, winning the presidency. He was the first Democrat to win, with a high percentage at that time.
“Roosevelt wins by landslide,” read the newspapers. The Democratic candidate defeated the republican candidate, Herbert Hoover.
War Declared
After the attack on Pearl Harbor that led the US to declare war on Germany and Italy, the Germans didn’t sit and wait. Instead, they responded by declaring war themselves.
The Red Wing Daily Republican published a map of Europe showing the strength of armies. The world was at war, and it was everything the press would inform on. Those were dark times.
Atomic Bomb
There was a time when atomic bombs were part of everyday conversations. No, it wasn’t a pleasant topic at all, but every person in the world feared a major attack back in the 40s.
The Amarillo Globe described the atomic bomb that was loosed on Japan as “the most terrible force ever devised.” Newspapers were afraid to report on destructive weapons during war times.
America’s 36th President
After J.F. Kennedy was assassinated, Vicepresident Lyndon B. Johnson took office. Newspapers quickly focused on Kennedy’s successor as the future ahead of the 36th American President.
Kennedy’s team admitted that the former President held Johnson in high esteem. History later proved that he wasn’t wrong, as Johnson ran for the presidency after his succession was over and won.
Her True Story
As part of the monarchy, Diana had to adapt to a family which was not conventional. After years of struggling to live the life she really wanted, the Princess finally opened up and spoke for herself.
Diana – Her True Story is a book written by Andrew Morton that describes the ordeals that Lady Di endured while being part of the royal family. The world was shocked to read about her suffering.
Oahu, Bombed
Newspapers documented every single war attack during World War II. The attack on Pearl Harbor was given full coverage by world newspapers. On December 7, 1941, President Roosevelt announced that Japanese planes had attacked Manila and Pearl Harbor.
The attack resulted in emergency hospitals being full of injured citizens. The attack was made on the Island’s defense areas, but the impact led to a catastrophe. Hundreds saw the city being bombed.
Jet Plane Explosion
While the world’s top newspapers were making headlines about Hiroshima and the atomic bomb, Los Angeles Times made room for a smaller headline to announce the death of Major Richard I. Bong.
Maj. Bong was a 24-year-old fighter pilot who died when his jet plane exploded minutes after he took off. Bong tried to abandon the aircraft, but he didn’t make it. Bong was known to have shot down 40 Japanese planes during WWII.
Tupac Shakur Dead
The death of Tupac Shakur remains an unsolved mystery today. The American rapper was shot in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 7, 1996, when his car stopped at a red light.
Shakur’s body couldn’t fight the extensive injuries as a result of being shot four times, and died six days later. The crime perpetrators are still unknown.
The Secret Behind The Smile
The Princess of Wales was adored by millions. The people of Britain liked the monarchy but loved Diana. As soon as Diana stepped into Charles’ life, he got all the media attention, something the royal family was apparently jealous of.
Rumors about the Princess' pregnancy quickly started to spread. After all, the reason why Diana was smiling all the time and falling asleep at every event was coming to light: the Princess of Wales was expecting.
Mods Vs. Rockers
On May 18th, 1964, the Daily Mirror made a whole front-page article about the Mods vs. Rockers battlefield. Screaming headlines such as “Wild ones “beat up” Margate” and “Battle of Brighton” were all over Britain’s newspapers.
The riots were led by large groups of teenagers. People thought the youth went crazy, as the protests always ended up arresting an estimated 10% of the crowds.
Voting Rights
It’s not recent news that voting rights have not always been easily granted throughout history. It took time and effort to get women their right to vote. In 1970, the Senate gave 18-year-olds voting rights.
The 26th Amendment to the Constitution was passed by Congress on March 23, 1971, and ratified on July 1, 1971. It granted citizens of eighteen years or older the right to suffrage.
John Dillinger
John Herbert Dillinger was an American gangster back in the 30s. The Chicago Tribune published an article on the gangster’s escape from the Little Bohemia Lodge in Wisconsin. It was the first report ever made about him.
The newspaper was known to be the world’s greatest newspaper. During the Prohibition and Great Depression times, the Chicago Daily Tribune would always include gangsters, organized crime, and some related activities on their front page.
St. Paul’s Underground
It took three years to repair the damage caused to St. Paul’s underground after the Zeppelin bomb in 1922. The station was almost completely destroyed, but in 1931 it opened to the public again.
The City of London spent over 11 million British pounds on repairing the station. As a result, St. Paul had a new and renovated underground with elevators for old and disabled people. On their first day, people had the chance to ride for free.
Marilyn Monroe’s Death
When Marilyn Monroe died, a million rumors were spreading around about the circumstances of her death, her body organs missing, and pictures taken of the corpse. At first, the media didn’t let Marilyn rest in peace.
The Miami News published a front-page headline story on the allegedly missing corpse. Apparently, Marilyn Monroe’s corpse was left in the morgue unclaimed for almost a day. Her tragic end ended up in tragic news.
Her Majesty, Queen Victoria
After reigning for 63 years, Queen Victoria passed away on January 22, 1901, at the age of 81. She was the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and the Empress of India. At that time, she was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Queen Victoria started having health issues right after celebrating 60 years since her accession to the throne. A couple of years later, she suffered a stroke, and her condition deteriorated.
Bin Laden
It’s not someone’s wish to have a person dead, but after the 9/11 incidents, the whole world was waiting for the Al Qaeda leader to pay for the atrocities he committed. Bin Laden was the orchestrator of the deadliest attack in America.
Los Angeles Times dedicated a full front page to the death of Osama Bin Laden, who died in a raid near the Pakistani capital. Obama, who was in office, celebrated the triumph. After ten years, justice was served.
Patsy Cline
The Evening Star published sad news on March 6, 1963. The day before, country music singer Patsy Cline died in an airplane crash. Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins were also on the plane and, unfortunately, died that same day.
The pilot lost control of the airplane shortly after taking off. There were no survivors as the aircraft crashed into the woods. It was believed that the tragedy was caused by flying under low-visibility conditions.
The Wright Brothers
On December 17, 1903, the London Herald made a full front page of revolutionary news. A powered aircraft successfully took off and flew over North Carolina for the first time. The pilot was Orville Wright.
The Wright Brothers flew four flights that day. The first one lasted 12 seconds, and the longest one lasted 59 seconds. Orville and Wilbur made history as they paved the way for the aerial age that followed.
Gandhi Shot To Death
Mahatma Gandhi was killed by a Hindu nationalist, Nathuram Vinayak Godse, on January 30, 1948. The Indian leader died in one of his follower’s arms at age 78 in a mansion in New Delhi.
Godse shot Gandhi to death. The murderer was immediately captured by Gandhi’s followers and taken to the police. He was judged and sentenced to death a year later. Despite pleas from Gandhi’s sons, the execution carried on.
Andy Warhol
Artist Andy Warhol had surgery to remove his gallbladder. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out well for him. He died on February 22, 1987, at the New York Hospital in Manhattan after several complications.
Andy was a well-known ad and magazine illustrator of the 60s. He was a revolutionary artist who dived into filmmaking and performance art. The New York Post made a front-page article about him while he was fighting for his life.
A-Bomb
Even after World War II, the US wasn’t done with atomic bombs. The country conducted test explosions on proving grounds like the Marshall Islands and Nevada.
The atomic weapon was on the front page again. The News described the test explosion as a success, together with a picture of the blast which made a full front page that day. “The A-Bomb goes up,” read the headline.
India’s Prime Minister Dead
Politician Lal Bahadur Shastri fought tooth and nail to get a peace pledge with Pakistan over disputed Kashmir. Unfortunately, the leader of India died twelve hours later.
The Indian Prime Minister was 61 years old when he suddenly passed away on January 11, 1966. The leader died from a heart attack.
Flu Shot
Back in 1976, people were receiving swine flu vaccinations on a national level until several deaths were reported. By October 13, 1976, 11 deaths were reported. People started to freak out with good reason.
Both federal and state officials came out to ensure that the deaths had no link whatsoever with the vaccinations. They confirmed that the people who died had a history of heart or lung trouble.
Mars
The Daily News made a special front page on July 21, 1976. NASA had successfully touched down on Mars on July 20. Viking 1 was able to show us pictures of the rocky surface, described by the newspaper as a “U.S. Southwestern desert.”
The picture of Mars took up half of the front page. The headlines “First look at Mars” and “Fantastic… Incredible” were the only words the newspaper used to describe such a historical moment.
Charles Lindbergh
Aviator Charles A. Lindbergh was 72 years old when he died of cancer on August 26, 1974. The sad news of his death made the full front page of the Daily News. The aviator was buried in Hawaii.
Charles was considered an aviation pioneer, as he shocked the world when he crossed the Atlantic on a 33-hour solo flight from New York City to Paris at the age of 25. It was the first nonstop flight the world had ever seen.
Hartford Circus Fire
The worst disaster in American circus history at that time was the Hartford circus fire that took place on July 6, 1944. The tragedy occurred in Connecticut, leaving at least 167 dead and over 700 injured.
An estimated 8,000 people attended the circus that day. The tragedy represented not only the worst disaster in circus history but also one of the worst fire disasters in United States history.
Great War Ends
The Chicago Daily Tribune announced the end of the Great War on November 11, 1918. German representatives signed the Armistice terms at midnight, putting an end to World War I.
At first, the terms of the armistice weren’t available to the public. But the military quickly spread the word on the specifics, such as immediate retirement of German military forces and release of allied American soldiers.
Brexit
Back in 2016, the British media focused on Brexit and nothing more. The Sun made a special front page on March 9, 2016, announcing the Queen’s standing in the dispute: she backed Brexit.
According to the newspaper, the Queen claimed that the EU was “going in the wrong direction.” Her Majesty’s opinion has always been of great importance to the people of Britain.
Pope Benedict
In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he was retiring. The world was shocked to see the first pope resign his office in almost 600 years. A new pope was taking office with his predecessor still alive.
Pope Benedict explained that he felt weak “in mind and body,” and that he was “too frail to go on.”. After all, he acknowledged his situation and made what he considered the best decision for the Catholic Church.
Royal Divorce
Princess Diana had always been in the spotlight. Every move she made was later published in every newspaper. A Daily Mail February 1996 issue included almost ten pages of every detail of the royal couple’s divorce.
According to the newspaper, Diana didn’t want the divorce, but she agreed to give up on her title of Royal Highness and simply be Diana, Princess of Wales. The newspaper also included details about the children and why Camilla and Charles will never get married.
Robin Williams
The news of the death of actor Robin Williams shocked the world, especially for the circumstances of his death. The actor and comedian passed away on August 11, 2014. He committed suicide.
The beloved actor was found dead at his California residence. It later came out that Williams was fighting a battle against depression. The comic genius was only 63 years old.
JFK Jr. Lost
On July 16, 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr. crashed the light aircraft he was flying. JFK Jr. was joined by his wife and sister-in-law. At first, rescuers and investigators found the plane but not the bodies.
The media quickly reported that the bodies were lost. Unfortunately, it was later confirmed that JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette and Lauren Bessette all died in the crash.
Death Of A Hero
The Daily Mirror described John Lennon’s death as the “death of a hero.” The musician was shot dead in New York City on December 8, 1980. Mark David Chapman shot Lennon five times.
The newspaper dedicated a full front page plus two additional pages about the death of the beloved British musician. He was a musical genius who will always be missed.
Harry Goes Home
Lady Diana always did things her own way, which was probably one of the reasons why the people loved her. The Princess of Wales was highly criticized by the Royal Family for deciding to give birth in a hospital.
Even though every woman in the royal family would give birth in their residential homes, Diana stayed firm on her decision and gave birth to Harry in a hospital. Every newspaper was waiting for her outside to come out with the little prince.
President At Last
It seems that people didn’t believe that Richard Nixon would become President back in 1968. Against all odds, the Republican candidate won the 1968 election. “The great objective of my administration will be to bring the American people together,” he pledged.
The Daily Mirror described the 37th President as “the man who seemed destined to be the greatest loser of all time.” Nixon had run for president in 1960 but lost against rival Jack Kennedy as a result of a narrow defeat.
Biggest Hold-Up
If you thought that traffic jams started in this century with modern cities, you are wrong. Being stuck in traffic dates back to the past century, at least for crowded cities like London. It wasn’t as normal as it is today, so the Daily Mirror decided to give the topic a full front page.
A picture of multiple cars queening up in a chaotic traffic jam is shown on the front page. Getting back home after a long workday seemed impossible for these workers who were stuck in traffic.
Terror Plot
North Korea tried desperately to boycott the 1988 Summer Olympics but failed. On May 22, 1988, the Sunday Express described the episode as an international terrorist plot.
Britain was worried about the Princess Royal’s safety as she was heading to South Korea. Terrorist attacks took place because of bad relations between South Korea and communist countries.
Segregation In Armed Forces Ended
On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman put an end to segregation in the armed forces. The President signed Executive Order 9981, which ordered the desegregation of the U.S. military.
The Executive Order created a President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services. Wiping out segregation in the armed forces was a massive move for Truman.
Oswald Executed During Transfer
Lee Harvey Oswald was accused of killing U.S. President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. All eyes were on the accused killer after the tragedy took place. Oswald was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Two days after the death of the former president, Oswald was shot and killed in the Dallas County Jail by Jack Ruby, his alleged co-conspirator. After years of investigation, there wasn’t enough evidence to determine who the assassins were.
Equal Rights Bill
On March 22, 1972, Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment, also known as ERA, after four decades of reluctance. The amendment to the Constitution guaranteed equal rights for women.
Even though the bill had to be ratified by all 38 state legislatures, the first step toward change was finally taken. From that moment, all American citizens, regardless of sex, would enjoy the same legal rights.
Segregation Banned In Public School
Ending segregation wasn’t something that only Mandela was fighting for. In 1954, the Supreme Court helped in this battle too by ruling racial segregation of children in public schools unconstitutional.
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark case that established a precedent. The civil rights movement gained power after the unanimous Supreme Court ruling.
Kidnapped Baby
There was a time when kidnapping babies at hospitals was a repeated though tragic practice. Most parents wouldn’t see their babies again except for one particular case.
Parents lost hope of seeing their child again. Surprisingly, the kidnapper of their baby handed in the newborn to a hospital. A frantic hunt took place after the child disappeared. At least the story had a happy ending.
Lusitania
RMS Lusitania was a UK ship that was torpedoed by German Navy forces during World War I. The ocean liner sank near English shores on May 7, 1915.
All passengers aboard were warned of the risk of danger before departing New York. The tragedy left 1,195 people killed, 128 of which were Americans.
Great Kanto Earthquake
On September 1, 1923, the Great Kanto earthquake hit Japan with a 7.9 magnitude on the Richter scale. At first, the estimated number of losses was around a hundred thousand, but the real number was close to 140,000.
The catastrophe, also known as the Tokyo-Yokohama earthquake, destroyed millions of homes, which either collapsed or perished in the fire. The same earthquake caused a 40 feet tsunami in the Sagami Gulf.