Historical Events tagged with "terrorism"

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.

Crime & Law

Beslan School Siege: Hostage Crisis in Russia

September 1st, 2004 20 years ago

Armed terrorists took more than 1,100 hostages, including schoolchildren and staff, in Beslan, North Ossetia. The siege began during the first day of school, creating a chaotic situation as parents gathered outside. Over three days, negotiations failed, leading to a tragic assault by Russian security forces that resulted in the deaths of over 385 individuals, both hostages and terrorists, marking one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Russia's history.

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Crime & Law

Explosions of Two Airliners from Moscow Airport

August 24th, 2004 20 years ago

Two Russian airliners, Aeroflot Flight 8912 and Siberia Airlines Flight 1047, exploded in midair after taking off from Domodedovo International Airport, near Moscow. The explosions were caused by suicide bombers, believed to be from Chechnya, resulting in the death of 90 passengers and crew. This coordinated attack took place within minutes of each takeoff, leading to chaos and devastation, as families and friends lost loved ones without warning. Details emerged that the bombers had hidden explosives in their carry-on luggage, showcasing a grievous act of terrorism in the region.

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Crime & Law

Terry Nichols Receives Consecutive Life Sentences

June 1st, 2004 20 years ago

Terry Nichols was sentenced to 161 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing, which targeted the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995. This devastating act of domestic terrorism killed 168 people and injured over 600 others, marking it as one of the deadliest attacks on American soil. Nichols, alongside Timothy McVeigh, was convicted for the bombing's planning and execution. The sentencing aimed to ensure Nichols would spend the rest of his life in prison, serving justice for the victims and their families.

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Crime & Law

Nick Berg Beheaded by Militants on Video

May 7th, 2004 20 years ago

Nick Berg, an American businessman, was kidnapped in Iraq by Islamic militants. His execution was videotaped and released online, causing global outrage. The act was intended as a show of power by the militants amid the Iraq War backdrop. Berg had traveled to Iraq to work on telecommunications infrastructure. His brutal killing was publicized, leading to significant media attention and discussions about the risks faced by civilians in war zones.

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Military & Warfare

Coordinated Suicide Bombings in Basra Police Stations

April 21st, 2004 20 years ago

Five suicide car bombers targeted police stations in and around Basra, resulting in the deaths of 74 people and injuring 160. The attacks marked one of the deadliest waves of violence in Iraq during the early phase of the insurgency, severely impacting local security forces and raising concerns over the effectiveness of post-invasion governance. The bombers struck in the morning, utilizing vehicles packed with explosives to maximize casualties and chaos.

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Crime & Law

Madrid Train Bombers Commit Suicide During Standoff

April 3rd, 2004 20 years ago

Islamic terrorists, linked to the 2004 Madrid train bombings, were trapped in an apartment by Spanish police. Faced with impending arrest, the suspects detonated explosives, killing themselves. The standoff occurred in a residential area of Madrid, highlighting the intensity of the police search for those responsible for the deadly attacks that killed nearly 200 people and injured thousands.

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Crime & Law

Thwarted bomb attack on AVE near Madrid

April 2nd, 2004 20 years ago

Islamist terrorists attempted to detonate a bomb aboard a Spanish high-speed train, AVE, near Madrid. The plot was discovered in advance, preventing what could have been a significant tragedy. Spanish authorities received timely intelligence that prompted them to take immediate action against the potential threat. The incident underlined the ongoing terrorist risk in Spain following previous attacks.

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Crime & Law

Deadly Bombings Target Madrid Commuters

March 11th, 2004 21 years ago

On March 11, a coordinated terrorist attack unfolded on Madrid's commuter trains during rush hour. Ten bombs exploded across four train stations, resulting in the death of 191 people and injuring over 2,000. The attacks were orchestrated by an al-Qaeda-inspired group, which aimed to disrupt Spain's involvement in the Iraq war. The devastation shocked the nation and prompted immediate political repercussions, fueling debates about terrorism and national security in Spain and beyond.

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Military & Warfare

Al-Qaeda's Ashoura Massacre in Iraq

March 2nd, 2004 21 years ago

A devastating attack occurred in Baghdad during the Ashoura religious observance. As thousands of Shiite Muslims gathered to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, Al-Qaeda orchestrated a suicide bombing, resulting in the deaths of approximately 170 individuals and injuries to over 500 others. The bombing targeted a crowded street filled with participants, highlighting the violent sectarian tensions in Iraq following the invasion.

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