20th Century Timeline

Hey all, Little Star here!
I'm going to start a 20th Century History Timeline!
The articles will be contributed by myself, Lumina (her blog is luminousmushroom.blogspot.com), and Cayleigh Marie (and any other people who contribute will be mentioned in that post).

There are three topics covered - political/economic events, social/cultural events, and science/technology events.

To find all the timeline events, just look for the label "20th Century Timeline" or search for one of the three topics by looking for "Political/Econ", "Social/Cultural", or "Science/Tech

Thanks!
Little Star

First Walk on the Moon

Today marks the realization of humankind's desire to explore space: the landing of astronauts Neil Armstrong (first) and Buzz Aldrin (second). They flew to the moon in Apollo 11 with Michael Collins.

Here's an article from July 20, 1969, from BBC:
"1969: Man takes first steps on the Moon

American Neil Armstrong has become the first man to walk on the Moon.
The astronaut stepped onto the Moon's surface, in the Sea of Tranquility, at 0256 GMT, nearly 20 minutes after first opening the hatch on the Eagle landing craft.

Armstrong had earlier reported the lunar module's safe landing at 2017 GMT with the words: "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

As he put his left foot down first Armstrong declared: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

He described the surface as being like powdered charcoal and the landing craft left a crater about a foot deep.

'We came in peace'
The historic moments were captured on television cameras installed on the Eagle and turned on by Armstrong.

Armstrong spent his first few minutes on the Moon taking photographs and soil samples in case the mission had to be aborted suddenly.

He was joined by colleague Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin at 0315 GMT and the two collected data and performed various exercises - including jumping across the landscape - before planting the Stars and Stripes flag at 0341 GMT.

They also unveiled a plaque bearing President Nixon's signature and an inscription reading: "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969 AD. We came in peace for all mankind."

After filming their experience with a portable television camera the astronauts received a message from the US President.

President Nixon, in the White House, spoke of the pride of the American people and said: "This certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made."

Many other nations - including the UK - sent messages of congratulation.

Moscow Radio announced the news solemnly in its 1030 GMT broadcast.

As Aldrin and Armstrong collected samples, Michael Collins told mission control in Houston he had successfully orbited the Moon in the mother ship Columbia, and take-off was on schedule for 750 GMT this evening. "

Italy: Motivations for Entering WWI

The Great War for Italy began, technically speaking, in August, 1914. Italy had belonged to the Triple Alliance formed in 1882, which was composed of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. However, when Germany (and thus also, Austria-Hungary) entered war with the Triple Entente, Italy merely waited.

Italy’s government at the time was run by a cautious prime minister, Antonio Salandra. The Italian socialists, including Mussolini, pacifists and republicans demanded that the country remain neutral. Thus, on August 2, Salandra announced that Italy would remain neutral in response to the pressure of the citizens. He cited a clause that stated Italy was committed to defend Austria-Hungary and Germany only in a “defensive war” and because Austria-Hungary and Germany had begun the war, it was an “offensive war”. However, Salandra worried that Italy’s former allies would soon turn their eye on Italy. He ordered his chief of staff to begin building up their military forces and stationed them on the border shared with Austria-Hungary.

By October of 1914, Mussolini and several of his fellow Socialists had changed their minds about the war, and were kicked out of the Socialist party. The general mood of the public shifted to follow. In a secret meeting with Britain in April, 1915, Italy signed the Treaty of London and agreed to join the war on the side of the Triple Entente. In return for her declaration of war against Germany and Austria-Hungary, the British government immediately pledged £50 million and a pledge to support Italy’s territorial demands following the war..


Bibliography
"Feature Articles: The Causes of World War One." First World War. 27 Mar. 2004. 7 July http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm

"Italy and the First World War." Spartacus Educational. 7 July 2009 http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWitalyW.htm

"Italy and World War One." History Learning Site. 7 July 2009 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/italy_and_world_war_one.htm