The Almanac

Today in history—and how The Nation covered it.

June 8, 1949: George Orwell’s ‘1984’ Is Published

June 8, 1949: George Orwell’s ‘1984’ Is Published June 8, 1949: George Orwell’s ‘1984’ Is Published

"This is Mr. Orwell’s picture of the way the world ends," Diana Trilling wrote in The Nation of 1984, "a perpetual nightmare of living death."

Jun 8, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

June 7, 1942: Battle of Midway Ends in Allied Victory

June 7, 1942: Battle of Midway Ends in Allied Victory June 7, 1942: Battle of Midway Ends in Allied Victory

"It seems likely that the punishment inflicted on the enemy [has] reduced his offensive power and brought nearer the day when we shall be able to count on effective naval supe...

Jun 7, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

June 6, 1944: D-Day Invasion of France

June 6, 1944: D-Day Invasion of France June 6, 1944: D-Day Invasion of France

"What day is this? D-Day? What has that to do with us? Our men are landing on the beaches of France? But have they votes in November?"

Jun 6, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

June 5, 1968: Robert F. Kennedy Is Assassinated in Los Angeles

June 5, 1968: Robert F. Kennedy Is Assassinated in Los Angeles June 5, 1968: Robert F. Kennedy Is Assassinated in Los Angeles

"He would secure his brother’s good name by defying, and if possible defeating, the evil consequences that had flowed from his brother’s brutally interrupted admin...

Jun 5, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

June 4, 1989: China Suppresses Peaceful Protesters in Tiananmen Square

June 4, 1989: China Suppresses Peaceful Protesters in Tiananmen Square June 4, 1989: China Suppresses Peaceful Protesters in Tiananmen Square

"The popular conclusion to draw...is that this is a further installment in the death of socialism and the triumph of the West. Not so."

Jun 4, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

June 3, 1924: Franz Kafka Dies

June 3, 1924: Franz Kafka Dies June 3, 1924: Franz Kafka Dies

"In time much is sure to be written of Franz Kafka, for he is inevitably sure of a place...among the foremost writers of our time."

Jun 3, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

June 2, 1924: Calvin Coolidge Signs the Indian Citizenship Act

June 2, 1924: Calvin Coolidge Signs the Indian Citizenship Act June 2, 1924: Calvin Coolidge Signs the Indian Citizenship Act

"America is a reckless squanderer where small racial units are concerned, and the cause of any Indian race seems a priori a lost cause."

Jun 2, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

June 1, 1968: Helen Keller Dies

June 1, 1968: Helen Keller Dies June 1, 1968: Helen Keller Dies

“Perhaps the best thing about it all is that Miss Keller has come through to middle age a liberal in spirit. The injustices of our society weigh heavily upon her.”

Jun 1, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

May 31, 2005: W. Mark Felt, Former FBI Official, Says He Was the Mysterious Watergate Source ‘Deep Throat’

May 31, 2005: W. Mark Felt, Former FBI Official, Says He Was the Mysterious Watergate Source ‘Deep Throat’ May 31, 2005: W. Mark Felt, Former FBI Official, Says He Was the Mysterious Watergate Source ‘Deep Throat’

In a twist worthy of le Carré, Deep Throat was assigned the mission of unearthing—and stopping—Deep Throat.

May 31, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

May 30, 1967: Biafra Declares Independence From Nigeria

May 30, 1967: Biafra Declares Independence From Nigeria May 30, 1967: Biafra Declares Independence From Nigeria

"Like the Jews of Harlem or the Asians of East Africa or the Chinese of Southeast Asia, the Ibos were the prominent outsiders in the economic life of the dominant population a...

May 30, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

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