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Birth
On April 17, 1894 Nikita Khrushchev was born in a mud and reed hut in the small village of Kalinovka, Russia. His mother and father, Ksenia Khrushchev and Sergei Khrushchev, were peasants who had little money, any they had came from Sergei's work as a farmer and part-time coal miner. This event is significant because Nikita Khrushchev would go on to become the communist leader of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Source: (Archer 33) -
Zeppelin builds airship
In May of 1898 Ferdinand von Zeppelin founded the Society for Promotion of Airship Flight and donated more than half of the money invested into the enterprise. Soon construction of airships began in an assembly hall near Friedrichshafen, Germany. This event is important because companies began to commercially fly Zeppelins, becoming the first airlines to carry thousands of passengers around the world. They were also used as German bombers and scouts during World War I. Source: (Grun 451) -
Boy Scouts movement founded
In August of 1907 Robert Baden-Powell held a camp on Brownsea Island in England where he tested his ideas of scouting from his book "Scouting for Boys". This camp and publication of Baden-Powell's book is regarded as the start of the Scouting Movement . This event is important because Scouting taught young people leadership and the skills to survive in the wilderness. It also supported ther physical and mental development that allowed them to become effective in society. Source: (Grun 461) -
Chicago Cubs wins World Series
On October 14, 1908 the Chicago Cubs won Game 5 of the World Series aginst the Detriot Tigers, making them back-to-back World Series Champions. This accomplishment had never before been achieved in the history of baseball. This is a significant event in sports history because since this World Series win, the Chicago Cubs have not since become World Series Champions, making it the longest remaining deficiency of a championship by a professional American sports team. Source: (Grun 463) -
Titanic sinks
On April 14, 1912 the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was bound for New York City with an estimated 2,224 passengers. This event is significant because 1,500 people died, making it
one of the most deadly maritime disasters in history. This disaster caused many changes to maritime regulations due to the lack of lifeboats and unequal treatment of the third class passengers during evacuation. Source: (Grun 465) -
Niels Bohr formulates atomic structure
In July of 1913 Niels Bohr proposed a model of an atom that had negatively charged electrons orbiting its nucleus. This nucleus was at the center of the atom and was made up of positively charged particles called protons (neutrons weren't discovered yet). This event is important because it explained the Rydberg Formula which was used to describe wavelengths of spectral lines in chemical elements. It was also used to explain the basics of quantum mechanics and energy level diagrams. (Grun 467) -
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Russian Civil War
The Russian Civil War started in 1918 after the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and went to 1921. During this span, Khrushchev became a Bolshevik and was drafted into the army to repel the czarists who wanted to restore the monarchy. This event is important because after the czarists were defeated the USSR was established and led by Vladmir Lenin. This war also caused widespread devastation and famine resulting in poor living conditions of many Russians. Source: ("Bolsheviks revolt in Russia") -
Edwin Hubble finds Cepheid variables in Andromeda Nebula
In 1923 Edwin Hubble discovered Cepheid variables which were used to determine distance from the galaxy in the Andromeda Nebula. He made this discovery during his observations using the Hooker Telescope at the Mount Wilson Observatory in California. This event is significant because it changed the scientific views on the size of the universe. This discovery also proved that there were other galaxies beyond the Milky Way and paved the way for future astronomers. Source: (Grun 485) -
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Great Purge
The Great Purge lasted from 1934 to June of 1937. During this time Khrushchev helped Stalin imprison and execute millions of government officials and civilians. This was a way for Stalin to kill his political rivals by saying they had committed treason. This event is important because millions of innocent people were killed or detained in labor camps. Because of the purging of military leaders the Soviet forces did poorly against the German invasion in World War II. Source: ("Purge trial") -
Becomes leader of the Communist Party of Ukraine
During the Great Purge in January of 1937 Stalin appointed Khrushchev as leader of the Communist Party of Ukraine. He was promoted to this position because many of the chief party leaders of Ukraine were purged, leaving no one to lead the country. This event is important because it gave Khrushchev more power and authority in the Communist Party. It also showed how Stalin trusted Khrushchev enough as an advisor and subordinate to put him in charge of a Communist nation. Source: (Byers 539-540) -
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Battle of Stalingrad
During World War II from August 23, 1942 to February 2, 1943 the Nazis tried to siege Stalingrad, Russia. After days of fighting the Nazis finally captured the city. In response, the Soviets launched Operation Uranus surrounding the Nazis, decimating their troops and forcing them to surrender. This event is important because it halted the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union and became the turning point for the Allied forces in World War II. Source: ("Battle of Stalingrad") -
Secret Speech
On February 25, 1956 Nikita Khrushchev delivered the Secret Speech to a closed session of Communist Party delegates. This speech was focused on de-Stalinization and the flaws of the deceased dictator. It also aimed at returning to the official policies of the idealized Leninist model. This event is important because it was the first step to the de-Stalinization of Russia and showed Khrushchev's negative views on Stalin's leadership of the nation. Source: ("Khrushchev's secret speech") -
Launch of Sputnik
In October of 1957 during Khrushchev's regime, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into Earth's orbit. Sputnik transmitted radio signals back to Earth that were strong enough to be picked up by amateur radio operators. Those who tuned in listened in awe as the beeping Soviet spacecraft passed over head several times a day. This event is significant because Sputnik was the first artificial satellite to travel in Earth's orbit and its launch triggered the Space Race. Source: ("Sputnik launched") -
U2 Affair
In May of 1960 a U.S. U2 spycraft was shot down by the Soviet military. In response, President Dwight Eisenhower approved a cover up. Seeing an opportunity to embarrass the U.S. administration, Khrushchev announced the downing to the world. This forced Eisenhower to reveal the U2 Affair to the U.S. public. This event is important because it increased the tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union and showed how their misjudgements could lead to a nuclear war. Source: (Beschloss 371-372,381) -
Cuban Missile Crisis
In October of 1962 Khrushchev decided to put nuclear missiles in Cuba to offset the U.S. missiles in Turkey. In response U.S. president John F. Kennedy declared an embargo of Cuba to halt shipments of Soviet missiles. After many negotiations, Russia agreed to remove their missiles if the U.S. did the same and removed the embargo. This event is important because it increased tensions between the nations and was the closest its ever been to a Third World War. Source: (Brugioni 176, 413, 448) -
Death
On September 11, 1971 Nikita Khrushchev died in Moscow, Russia from a heart attack at age 77. Khrushchev was denied a state funeral and a burial in the Kremlin wall, but he recieved a quiet entombment in the Novodevichy Convent Cemetery in Moscow. This event is significant because although Nikita Khrushchev was no longer the leader of the communist movement, it continued to cause major changes to Soviet society and world power relationships. Source: ("Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev")