Historical Events tagged with "politics"

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

Royal Moroccan Air Force Attacks Hassan II's Plane

August 16th, 1972 53 years ago

During an unsuccessful coup attempt, the Royal Moroccan Air Force fired upon King Hassan II's plane as he was returning to Rabat. The coup was orchestrated by a group of disgruntled military officers unhappy with the King’s regime. Despite the assault, Hassan II survived the attack, leading to a crackdown on dissent within the military and a strengthening of his authority.

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Politics & Government

Senate Ratifies Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty

August 3rd, 1972 53 years ago

The United States Senate approved the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, initiated in Moscow by the U.S. and Soviet Union leaders. Signed by President Richard Nixon and General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev, the treaty sought to limit the development and deployment of missile defense systems. This decision marked a significant step in nuclear arms control and aimed to stabilize the strategic balance between the two superpowers amidst the Cold War tensions.

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Politics & Government

Nixon and Haldeman Discuss CIA Obstruction

June 23rd, 1972 53 years ago

Richard M. Nixon and H. R. Haldeman were taped discussing the use of the Central Intelligence Agency to obstruct the Federal Bureau of Investigation's inquiry into the Watergate break-ins. This conversation revealed the administration's willingness to engage in illegal activities to protect its interests. It was a pivotal moment that showcased the depth of the scandal surrounding the Nixon administration.

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Politics & Government

The Watergate Tape Gap Discovery

June 20th, 1972 53 years ago

An 18½-minute gap in the tape recordings of discussions between U.S. President Richard Nixon and his advisers raised suspicions about the Watergate scandal. This gap occurred during conversations regarding the arrests of Nixon's operatives following their break-in at the Watergate complex. The disappearance of the recording fueled further investigations into the administration's potential cover-up of the events surrounding the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

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Politics & Government

Arrest of White House Operatives at DNC

June 17th, 1972 53 years ago

Five operatives linked to the Nixon administration were apprehended while attempting to wiretap the offices of the Democratic National Committee. This break-in, conducted at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., aimed to sabotage the political opposition and was part of a larger scheme to manipulate the democratic process. The ongoing intrigue surrounding these actions would unfold into a significant political scandal.

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Crime & Law

Trial of the Angry Brigade Begins in London

May 30th, 1972 53 years ago

The trial of the Angry Brigade, a group accused of carrying out 25 bombings across the UK between 1970 and 1971, commenced in London. The defendants, identified as a collection of radical leftists, faced charges related to their anarchist actions targeting government buildings and symbols of authority. The bombings, which were largely non-lethal, nevertheless caused significant property damage and instigated widespread public concern regarding safety and domestic terrorism. The case drew attention to the growing political radicalism at the time, and the wider social implications of youth dissent in the context of post-war Britain.

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Politics & Government

Ceylon Becomes the Republic of Sri Lanka

May 22nd, 1972 53 years ago

Ceylon adopted a new constitution, transforming into a republic and officially changing its name to Sri Lanka. This landmark shift was marked by a new electoral system and a stronger emphasis on Buddhism, reflecting the aspirations of the Sinhalese majority. The constitutional transformation aimed to establish a more unitary state, shifting power dynamics in governance.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Women Protest Sinn Féin Offices in Derry

May 22nd, 1972 53 years ago

In Derry, Northern Ireland, over 400 women staged a protest by attacking the offices of Sinn Féin. This demonstration was fueled by the recent shooting of a young British soldier on leave by the Irish Republican Army, which heightened tensions in the community. The women's actions highlighted their anger and discontent regarding the violence occurring in their neighborhoods, showcasing a rare moment of public dissent against the politics of the time.

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Politics & Government

Execution of Turkish Revolutionaries in Ankara

May 6th, 1972 53 years ago

Deniz Gezmiş, Yusuf Aslan, and Hüseyin İnan were executed in Ankara after being convicted of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order. Their trial was marked by controversies and debates on state repression and revolution. The three young men were prominent figures in the leftist movement in Turkey, and their executions ignited nationwide protests. They were seen by many as martyrs for their cause, advocating for social change and justice.

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