44
Ancient
Assassination of Julius Caesar (Eve of Ides)
The Roman Senate held its final session before the Ides of March. Julius Caesar's allies urged him to be cautious, but he dismissed warnings about a conspiracy against his life.
On This Day in History
1489
Politics
Queen Catherine Cornaro Abdicates Cyprus Throne
Catherine Cornaro, the last Queen of Cyprus, abdicated her throne in favor of the Republic of Venice. Her abdication ended the Lusignan dynasty's centuries-long rule of Cyprus.
1794
Invention
Eli Whitney Patents the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney received a patent for the cotton gin, a machine that quickly separated cotton fibers from seeds. While it revolutionized cotton production, it also entrenched slavery in the American South.
1879
Science
Albert Einstein Is Born
Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany. His theories of relativity and contributions to quantum mechanics made him the most influential physicist of the 20th century.
1900
Politics
Gold Standard Act Signed
President McKinley signed the Gold Standard Act, formally placing the United States on the gold standard. The act established gold as the only metal for redeeming paper currency.
1943
War & Conflict
Krakow Ghetto Liquidated by Nazis
The Nazis began liquidating the Krakow Ghetto, sending residents to concentration camps. Oskar Schindler would save over 1,000 Jews during this period, later immortalized in 'Schindler's List.'
2018
Science
Stephen Hawking Dies
Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking died at age 76. Despite living with ALS for most of his life, he made groundbreaking contributions to cosmology and became the world's most famous scientist.