Important Events From This day in History – 30th October

Today in History

• 2014 Sweden Recognizes Palestine

  It became the first EU country in Western Europe to do so by recognizing the State of Palestine. On November 15, 1988, Yasser Arafat declared an independent Palestine. A month later, the UN General Assembly recognized it.

• 1973 Bosphorous Bridge in Istanbul Opens for the First Time

  Construction on the Bosphorus suspension bridge began in February 1970. British engineers Gilbert Roberts and William Brown designed the bridge connecting Asia and Europe.

• 1961 Biggest Bomb in History is Detonated

  The Soviet Union detonated Tsar Bomba, also known as Big Ivan, over the Mityushikha Bay test range on the Arctic island of Novaya Zemlya. The 57 Megatons nuclear bomb was unique, and the flash of light when it exploded at 13,000 feet was visible from over 1000 kilometres away.

• 1908 First cross-country flight in Europe

  Henri Farman, a French aviator, flew from Bouy to Reims. He took about 20 minutes to travel the 14 miles. Farman also co-founded Farman Aviation Works, an airline and engine manufacturing firm.

• 1905 Russian Tsar Issues the October Manifesto

  The manifesto issued by Nicholas II was in response to the Russian Revolution of 1905, which saw widespread strikes and protests against the government. The manifesto’s main points included establishing an elected legislative body known as the Duma and men’s universal suffrage. It also paved the way for a new constitution to be drafted in 1906.