The Almanac

Today in history—and how The Nation covered it.

April 8, 1935: FDR Forms the Works Progress Administration

April 8, 1935: FDR Forms the Works Progress Administration April 8, 1935: FDR Forms the Works Progress Administration

“Through WPA the unemployed have redeemed the idea of work relief; the ‘boondogglers’ have made good.”

Apr 8, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

April 7, 1994: The Rwandan Genocide Begins

April 7, 1994: The Rwandan Genocide Begins April 7, 1994: The Rwandan Genocide Begins

“Uganda denies it, Egypt and South Africa will not comment, and France has yet to fully disclose its role.”

Apr 7, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

April 6, 1896: The First Modern Olympics Open in Athens

April 6, 1896: The First Modern Olympics Open in Athens April 6, 1896: The First Modern Olympics Open in Athens

The Games arrived, The Nation reported, “at a time when the frivolous policy of the best of Greek statesmen has landed the Greek kingdom in the slough of bankruptcy, and done the w...

Apr 6, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

April 5, 1992: The Siege of Sarajevo Begins

April 5, 1992: The Siege of Sarajevo Begins April 5, 1992: The Siege of Sarajevo Begins

"The shared experience of being, along with the city’s inhabitants, a sort of dead man on leave," Christopher Hitchens wrote, "makes for leveling of the more j...

Apr 5, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. Is Assassinated

April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. Is Assassinated April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. Is Assassinated

“You have to weep for this country.”

Apr 4, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

April 3, 1996: Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, Is Arrested

April 3, 1996: Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, Is Arrested April 3, 1996: Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, Is Arrested

“I would agree with the Unabomber’s general position that ‘revolution is necessary.’ But I can’t figure out at all what kind of revolution this is to ...

Apr 3, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

April 2, 1917: Woodrow Wilson Asks Congress for a Declaration of War

April 2, 1917: Woodrow Wilson Asks Congress for a Declaration of War April 2, 1917: Woodrow Wilson Asks Congress for a Declaration of War

"War has come, and we must all face it steadfastly and cheerfully."

Apr 2, 2015 / The Almanac and Richard Kreitner

April 1, 1901: Whittaker Chambers Is Born

April 1, 1901: Whittaker Chambers Is Born April 1, 1901: Whittaker Chambers Is Born

Whittaker Chambers, a Wobbly and a hobo before he was a a red-hunter, published poetry in The Nation in the 1920s.

Apr 1, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

March 31, 1995: Pop Star Selena Is Shot and Killed

March 31, 1995: Pop Star Selena Is Shot and Killed March 31, 1995: Pop Star Selena Is Shot and Killed

Unlike the male rock star who, having killed himself, gave his fans a taste of ultimate fatalism, Selena’s life, not death, offered joy to so many who admired her.

Mar 31, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

March 30, 1981: Ronald Reagan Is Shot

March 30, 1981: Ronald Reagan Is Shot March 30, 1981: Ronald Reagan Is Shot

An available gun transforms violent emotions into deadly action.

Mar 30, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

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