Today in History
1981
The home computer ZX81 is launched
The British ZX81 was one of the world’s first home computer and was sold over 1.5 million times.
1970
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty enters into force
Nuclear powers China, Russia, U.S., U.K., and France initiated the treaty in
1968. It has since been ratified by 190 nations around the world.
1960
Alberto Korda takes his famous picture of revolutionary Che Guevara
The iconic photograph, called Guerrillero Heroico, was taken at a memorial service for the victims of the La Coubre explosion.
1872
The air brake is patented
George Westinghouse is credited with the design of the railway braking system that uses compressed air.
1616 Nicolaus Copernicus’ revolutionary book De revolutionibus orbium coelestium is banned by the Catholic Church
In the book, Copernicus claimed that the Earth revolves around the sun. The Church maintained Ptolemy’s geocentric system. The book is considered a milestone in the history of astronomy.
Births On This Day,
March 5
1970
John Frusciante
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer
1951 Lat
Malaysian cartoonist
1948
Elaine Paige
English singer, actress
1898
Zhou Enlai
Chinese politician, 1st Premier of the People’s Republic of China
1871
Rosa Luxemburg
Russian economist, philosopher
Deaths On This Day,
March 5
2013 Hugo Chávez
Venezuelan military officer, politician, President of Venezuela
1963
Patsy Cline
American singer-songwriter, pianist.
1953
Sergei Prokofiev
Russian pianist, composer, conductor
1953
Joseph Stalin
Soviet marshal, politician, 4th Premier of the Soviet Union
1895
Nikolai Leskov
Russian author, playwright, journalist.
AM and PM Explained
How does the 12-hour clock system work? Is midnight 12 am or 12 pm?
Daylight Saving Time (DST)
Why do many countries set the clocks back and forth an hour twice a year?
About the 12 Months
Why are there 12 months? How long are they, and what do the month names mean?
UTC:
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the basis for civil time today. This 24-hour time standard is kept using highly precise atomic clocks combined with the Earth’s rotation.