May 24th Through History

Explanation: Peter Minuit, governor of New Netherland for the Dutch West India Company, is said to have purchased Manhattan from the Lenape (also known as the Delaware) for an estimated 60 guilders worth of goods. This purchase is one of the most famous, and most controversial, in American history.

Explanation: The phrase "What hath God wrought?" is taken from the Bible (Numbers 23:23). This first telegram was sent from Washington D.C. to Baltimore, ushering in a revolution in long-distance communications. Morse code remained in use in the international merchant marine until 1999.

Explanation: Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began in 1869 under the direction of John Roebling, who died shortly afterward from an accident on the site. His son Washington Roebling took over but was paralyzed by caisson disease. It was finally his wife Emily Warren Roebling who supervised much of the work until the inauguration.

Explanation: Eritrea became independent from Ethiopia after a long war of independence that lasted from 1961 to 1991. A referendum held in April 1993 approved independence with 99.8% of the vote. It is one of the last African countries to have gained national sovereignty in the 20th century.

Explanation: Bob Dylan, whose real name is Robert Zimmerman, received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016, a decision that caused a sensation as it was the first time a musician had received this distinction. The Swedish Academy praised his ability to have "created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition".

Explanation: The Hôtel des Invalides was founded to house wounded or elderly soldiers who often wandered the streets of Paris after their military campaigns. Today, the site houses the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte as well as several museums related to French military history.

Explanation: Queen Victoria reigned over the United Kingdom from 1837 until her death in 1901, that is 63 years, making it the second longest reign in British history after that of Elizabeth II. She received the title of Empress of India in 1876, at the height of the British Empire.

Explanation: Erik Weihenmayer used a combination of special techniques to reach the summit of Everest, notably the sound of bells carried by his guide in front of him. He then became the first blind person to climb the Seven Summits, the highest points of each of the seven continents, a feat he accomplished in 2002.

Explanation: The first Eurovision Song Contest was held on May 24, 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland, with only 7 participating countries. Switzerland actually won this first contest with Lys Assia performing "Refrain". Today, the contest brings together more than 40 countries each year.

Explanation: Duke Ellington, born in 1899 in Washington D.C., was one of the most influential jazz figures of the 20th century. He led his own orchestra for more than fifty years and composed more than 1,000 works. In 1999, he was posthumously awarded a special Pulitzer Prize for his lifetime career.