Read on to enlighten yourself with the historical milestones of today
1783 – The first hot-air balloon is sent aloft Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier were two brothers who demonstrated their invention
1783 – The first hot-air balloon is sent aloft
Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier were two brothers who demonstrated their invention of a hot-air balloon on September 19, 1783. After observing that heated air directed into a paper or fabric bag made the bag
rise, they first experimented with lighter-than-air devices. The brothers decided to publicly demonstrate their invention after several successful tests. The first demonstration with passengers took place in Versailles, France
with animal passengers including a sheep, rooster and a duck as there were concerns about the effects of high
altitude on humans. The flight was witnessed by the French king, Marie Antoinette and a crowd of 130,000 that lasted for about 8 minutes. The device travelled about 2 miles (3.2 km) before landing safely.
1841 – The Strasbourg and Basel railway is completed
The first railway to span a frontier between Strasbourg and Basel, in Europe was completed today on this day, i.e – 19th September 1841. The railway from Strasbourg to Basel is a 141.3-kilometre long railway line and is a French and Swiss-based line. Compagnie du chemin de fer de Strasbourg à Bâle, founded by the Koechlin brothers was granted with the concession of the railway Strasbourg–Basel. Initially, the first sections were opened in 1840 that led from Benfeld to Colmar and near the Swiss border from Mulhouse to Saint Louis. Koenigshoffen (near Strasbourg) and Benfeld were connected, and Colmar was connected to Mulhouse in the year 1841 forming the first railway to span a frontier.
1893 – New Zealand, the first nation to grant women the right to vote
A new Electoral Act into law was signed by the governor, Lord
Glasgow, on 19th September 1893. Thus, creating a landmark in legislation, New Zealand becomes the first nation self-governing in the world to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. Until the First World War, women were not granted the right to vote in most of the democracies, like – Britain and the United States. This win was achieved by the efforts of Kate Sheppard, who led Suffrage Campaigners compiling a series of massive petitions calling on the Parliament to grant women the right to vote. Following the 2017 General Elections, 38% of the Members of Parliament were female, as compared to the 9% in 1981. The idea of women cannot vote is now completely oblivion to New Zealanders
1957 – First underground nuclear test takes place
The United States detonates a 1.7-kiloton nuclear weapon in an underground tunnel at the Nevada Test Site on 19th September 1957. The Nevada site is a 1,375-square-mile research centre located 65 miles north of Las Vegas. The test fully contained underground detonation and produced no radioactive fallout. The test also used a modified W-25 warhead weighing about 218 pounds and measuring 25.7 inches in diameter and 17.4 inches in length. The test was known as Rainier a part of the series of 29 nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons safety tests known as Operation Plumbbob, conducted at the NTS between 28 May 1957, and 7th October 1957.
1970 – First Glastonbury Festival is held
The Glastonbury Festival is famous among every music fan. Back in 1970, the festival was originally called the Pilton Pop, Folk and Blues Festival. Michael Eavis was the organiser, who decided to host an alfresco concert after seeing Led Zeppelin headlining at an open-air festival. The Pilton Pop, Folk and Blues Festival was inspired by this outdoor concert by Led Zeppelin and was held at the Worthy Farm with an audience of 1500 people for the first time on 19th September 1970. The festival was dedicated to the Contemporary Performing Arts that took place near Pilton, Somerset, England. The Glastonbury Festival was also called the Pilton Festival bringing millions of music fans and performers to the Somerset countryside. The festival takes a break after every five known as the ‘fallow year’ allowing the land, the locals and the dedicated organisers to rest before the festival mayhem begi
2006 – Military coup in Bangkok establishes Martial Law.
The Military Coup in Bangkok took place on 19th September 2006, after the Royal Thai Army staged a coup d’état against the elected caretaker government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Following a year-long crisis Thaksin, his allies, and political opponents, the Coup was Thailand’s first non-constitutional change in 15 years. The Military abrogated the 1997 constitution and dissolved the Parliament after cancelling the scheduled 15th October elections. General Prem Tinsulanonda, Chairman of the Privy Council, was the mastermind behind the coup and after arresting the cabinet members, the Military established and declared Martial Law nationwide.
