The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN in 1948. Other events include women’s right to vote in the US (1869), the first Nobel prizes awarded (1901), King Edward VIII’s resignation (1936), and the Treaty of Paris ending the Spanish-American War (1898). The first road signs and traffic lights were installed in 1869, and the first domestic passenger airline flight in the US took place in 1959. Emily Dickinson was born in 1830, and the Grand Ole Opry debuted in 1927.
The UN has adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (1948) Born out of the atrocities committed in the Second World War, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declared, among other things, that all human beings are born free and equal, all have the right to freedom of thought and religion, and everyone has the right to education.
The right to vote was granted to women for the first time in the United States. (1869) The state of Wyoming gave women the right to vote in all state elections, although it would be another fifty years before the 19th amendment, which guaranteed all American women the right to vote, was passed.
Awarded the first Nobel prizes. (1901) There were five categories of awards; physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. The ceremony was held on the fifth anniversary of Dr. Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who set up the prize distribution fund in regret for the destructive ways in which his invention was used.
King Edward VIII of England resigned. (1936) He was the only British monarch to voluntarily resign. His reason for abdicating was his desire to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson, which was opposed by the royal family and the Church of England. The former king and Mrs Simpson were married the following year.
The Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War. (1898) Treaty marked the end of most Spanish influence in the Americas and required Spain to cede Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam to the United States. Cuba was also liberated, but later came under US control. The United States paid Spain US$20 million (USD) for the Philippines, but Puerto Rico and Guam were given free.
The first road signs were installed. (1869) The first traffic lights were installed in London outside the Houses of Parliament. Modeled on the railway signals of the time, they functioned with semaphore-like arms to signal traffic and were illuminated after dark with red and green gas lamps.
One of the first mail services in America was established. (1672) The governor of New York announced that a monthly mail service would begin between New York and Boston. There would be no “official” (ie authorized by Britain) mail service for another twenty years.
The first domestic passenger airline flight of the United States took place. (1959) The flight was operated by National Airlines, and was from New York to Miami. The aircraft was a converted Boeing 707 and was carrying 111 passengers.
American poet Emily Dickinson is born. (1830) Though largely unknown in her lifetime, Dickinson’s posthumously published poems became extremely popular in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of her most famous poems include Hope is a Thing with Feathers and I’m Nobody! Who are you?
The Grand Ole Opry debuted. (1927) Weekly radio, and later television show, became a hugely popular country music showcase and hosted country legends Hank Williams, Dolly Parton and Kitty Wells, among others.
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