Historical Events tagged with "assassination"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

Yuk Young-soo Assassinated in Attack on Park Chung Hee

August 15th, 1974 50 years ago

Yuk Young-soo, the First Lady of South Korea, was assassinated during an attempted attack on her husband, President Park Chung Hee. The incident occurred during a celebratory event marking Korea's Liberation Day in a public area in Seoul, where a lone gunman shot her as she was accompanying the president. The attack shocked the nation and highlighted the ongoing political turbulence and risks associated with Park's regime.

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Crime & Law

Mossad Agents Mistakenly Kill a Waiter in Norway

July 21st, 1973 51 years ago

Mossad agents mistakenly killed a Moroccan waiter in Lillehammer, Norway, believing he was involved in the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre. This incident stemmed from Israel's assassination campaign against those deemed responsible for the massacre, leading to significant diplomatic tensions between Israel and Norway. The chosen target was misidentified despite the agents' extensive surveillance efforts.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Ghassan Kanafani by Mossad

July 8th, 1972 52 years ago

Ghassan Kanafani, a notable Palestinian writer and activist, was assassinated in Beirut by the Israeli Mossad. The operation involved a bomb placed in his car, which killed him along with his 17-year-old niece. Kanafani was a prominent figure in Palestinian literature and politics, advocating for the Palestinian cause through his works. His assassination was intended to silence his voice and discourage further support for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Wasfi al-Tal in Jordan

November 28th, 1971 53 years ago

Wasfi al-Tal, the Prime Minister of Jordan, was assassinated in Cairo by members of the Black September unit affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization. The attack was part of a broader response to Jordan's crackdown on Palestinian militants within its borders, which had intensified following the events of Black September earlier that year.

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Crime & Law

John List commits family murders in New Jersey

November 9th, 1971 53 years ago

John List murdered his wife, mother, and three children using handguns in their home in Westfield, New Jersey. The murders were premeditated, as List meticulously planned the killings before carrying them out. He left behind a letter detailing his reasons for the tragic act, citing financial difficulties and the desire to spare his family from embarrassment. After the murders, he disappeared, becoming one of America's most wanted fugitives.

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Politics & Government

Forward Bloc Central Committee Meeting After Tragedy

February 24th, 1971 54 years ago

The All India Forward Bloc convened an emergency central committee meeting to address the assassination of its chairman, Hemantha Kumar Bose, who was killed three days earlier. During this meeting, P.K. Mookiah Thevar was appointed as the new chairman. The incident highlighted internal and external challenges faced by the party and called for a re-evaluation of its strategies going forward.

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Crime & Law

Sirhan Sirhan Convicted of Robert F. Kennedy Assassination

April 17th, 1969 55 years ago

Sirhan Sirhan was convicted for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy, the U.S. Senator and presidential candidate. The trial received extensive national attention, focusing on Sirhan's motive and mental state. During the trial, testimonies revealed Sirhan's obsession with Kennedy, whom he blamed for supporting Israel. The verdict was reached after a jury deliberated on the evidence presented, including Sirhan’s confession. Sirhan was sentenced to life in prison for the assassination that occurred in June 1968.

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Crime & Law

James Earl Ray's Guilty Plea in King's Assassination

March 10th, 1969 56 years ago

James Earl Ray pleaded guilty to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on March 10, 1969, in a courtroom in Memphis, Tennessee. His admission of guilt came after a lengthy manhunt and intense national scrutiny following the civil rights leader's murder in 1968. Ray's plea was part of a deal to avoid a trial, where he faced charges for his role in a crime that altered the course of the civil rights movement. After his guilty plea, Ray maintained that he had acted alone but later attempted to recant his confession, claiming he was set up. However, his attempts were ultimately unsuccessful in overturning the conviction.

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Crime & Law

Arrest of James Earl Ray at Heathrow Airport

June 8th, 1968 56 years ago

James Earl Ray, the man accused of assassinating Martin Luther King Jr., was apprehended at London Heathrow Airport while attempting to flee the United States. Law enforcement authorities discovered him based on an international manhunt and quickly took him into custody. Ray had been on the run since the murder of King in April of that year, moving through various locations before arriving in London. His capture marked a significant moment in the ongoing investigation into King's assassination.

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