Historical Events tagged with "justice"

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.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Brutal Attack on Rodrigo Rojas and Carmen Gloria Quintana

July 2nd, 1986 38 years ago

Rodrigo Rojas and Carmen Gloria Quintana were attacked during a street demonstration against General Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship in Chile. They were brutally burnt alive after being mistaken for terrorists by a military patrol. This shocking act of violence occurred against the backdrop of growing unrest and opposition to Pinochet’s regime amidst human rights violations.

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Crime & Law

Jonathan Pollard's Espionage Guilty Plea

June 4th, 1986 38 years ago

Jonathan Pollard, a former U.S. intelligence analyst, pleaded guilty to espionage after being charged with selling classified military information to Israel. He was arrested in 1985 and later admitted in a plea bargain that he had provided sensitive documents that compromised U.S. intelligence. Pollard's actions raised significant concerns over national security and U.S.-Israel relations, prompting a controversial debate about espionage and loyalty.

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Military & Warfare

Guerrillas Capture Bogotá's Palace of Justice

November 6th, 1985 39 years ago

Leftist guerrillas from the 19th of April Movement, known as M-19, launched an assault on the Palace of Justice in Bogotá, Colombia. The attack led to a violent takeover of the building, where key government officials were present. M-19 demanded a trial for President Belisario Betancur and sought to bring attention to their political goals. The siege lasted until military forces responded, resulting in a deadly confrontation.

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Crime & Law

Murder of Police Constable Keith Blakelock

October 6th, 1985 39 years ago

Police Constable Keith Blakelock was murdered during the Broadwater Farm riots in London. As racial tensions escalated amid ongoing community grievances, Blakelock and his colleagues responded to the unrest triggered by the police's treatment of a local resident. The violence in the area intensified, leading to a confrontation that resulted in Blakelock's tragic death, making him the first police officer to be killed during riots in London since the 1980s.

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Crime & Law

Disappearance of Jonelle Matthews in Greeley

December 20th, 1984 40 years ago

Jonelle Matthews, a 12-year-old girl from Greeley, Colorado, went missing on December 20, 1984, after returning home from a school performance. Despite extensive searches and investigations, her whereabouts remained unknown for many years. The case garnered significant media attention, with numerous leads investigated over the decades. Sadly, in 2019, her remains were discovered approximately 24 kilometers southeast of her home, and the cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head, shocking the community and bringing closure to a long-standing mystery.

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Religion & Philosophy

Execution of Mona Mahmudnizhad and Friends

June 18th, 1983 41 years ago

Mona Mahmudnizhad, along with nine other Baháʼí women, was sentenced to death for her religious beliefs in Shiraz, Iran. The group faced persecution due to the Iranian government's stance against the Baháʼí Faith, which it viewed as a threat. The women were tried in a secretive process, reflecting the repressive treatment of religious minorities in Iran. Their execution signified a grim moment in the struggle for religious freedom.

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Crime & Law

Failed Assassination of Nazi Hunters in France

July 9th, 1979 45 years ago

A car bomb exploded outside the home of Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, who were known for their efforts in tracking down former Nazis. The attack, attributed to those opposed to their work, left the vehicle destroyed, but the couple escaped unharmed. This incident highlighted the risks faced by those seeking justice for Holocaust victims and drew attention to ongoing tensions surrounding wartime crimes.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

White Night Riots Following Dan White's Conviction

May 21st, 1979 45 years ago

Following the conviction of Dan White for the manslaughter of George Moscone and Harvey Milk, a riot erupted on the streets of San Francisco. Thousands of protesters took to the streets, expressing outrage over the perceived leniency of the verdict. The unrest culminated in violence, with property damage and confrontations with law enforcement. The events were fueled by the larger LGBTQ+ community's frustration over discrimination and political representation.

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Politics & Government

John Ehrlichman Released After Watergate Imprisonment

April 27th, 1978 46 years ago

John Ehrlichman, an aide to President Nixon, was released from the Federal Correctional Institution, Safford, Arizona, after serving 18 months for his involvement in Watergate-related crimes. His conviction stemmed from broader scandals surrounding the Nixon administration's abuses of power. Ehrlichman's release marked a significant moment, reflecting ongoing public interest in the Watergate scandal and its aftermath.

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