This Day in History...
The first volume of Mein Kampf, the political manifesto written by Adolf Hitler that became the bible of Nazism in Germany's Third Reich, was published this day in 1925, and two years later the second volume appeared.
Historic Events:- A great fire began that ultimately destroyed most of Rome. The emperor Nero blamed it on Christians and began the first Roman persecution of them. (64)
- The Almohads were victorious over the forces of King Alfonso VIII of Castile in the Battle of Alarcos. (1195)
- The English novelist Jane Austen died in Winchester, Hampshire. (1817)
- The Spanish Civil War began. (1936)
- 14-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci earned the first perfect score, a ten, at the Olympics and went on to score six more tens and win three gold medals. (1976)
Today's Birthday...
South African black nationalist and statesman Nelson Mandela, whose long imprisonment (1962–90) and ascension to the presidency (1994–99) symbolized the aspirations of his country's black majority, was born this day in 1918.
Other Notables:- John Glenn, Jr. (86): astronaut and senator
- William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863), Jessamyn West (1907-1984), Clifford Odets (1906-1963): writers