Nicosia, Cyprus. July 14 has seen major political, scientific and cultural events, including the banning of opposition parties in Nazi Germany, the discovery of a planet with three suns and developments in the Middle East.
Early 20th century
In 1904, Paul Kruger, the South African politician who led the Transvaal during the 1899-1902 Boer War against Britain, died in exile in Switzerland. Britain had sought to extend its commercial interests following the discovery of gold.
Political developments
In 1933, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party banned all opposition parties in Germany.
In 1999, Peru captured Oscar Ramirez, also known as Feliciano, the leader of the Shining Path rebel group.
In 2006, Jaroslaw Kaczynski was sworn in as Poland’s prime minister by his twin brother, President Lech Kaczynski.
Deaths in public life and culture
In 1965, Adlai Stevenson, the twice Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency who lost to Dwight Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956, died in London.
In 1998, Richard McDonald, who helped pioneer the fast-food concept that evolved into McDonald’s, the world’s largest restaurant chain, died at the age of 89.
In 2003, Cuban singer and guitarist Compay Segundo died at the age of 95. He gained international recognition late in life through the Grammy-winning record “Buena Vista Social Club.”
Science and conflict
In 2005, U.S. scientists announced the detection of a planet outside the solar system with three suns, a finding that challenged theories of planet formation.
In 2006, Israeli jets fired at Lebanon’s Zahrani bridge.