Launch of Early Bird, the first commercial communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit.

Early Bird, also known as Intelsat I, was indeed the first commercial communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit. It was launched on April 6, 1965, by NASA for the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT), which later became Intelsat.

Purpose: Early Bird was designed to relay television, telephone, and telegraph signals between the United States and Europe. Its geosynchronous orbit meant that it stayed fixed relative to a point on Earth, allowing for continuous communication coverage between these regions.

Design and Technology: The satellite was cylindrical in shape, measuring about 76 centimeters (30 inches) in diameter and 170 centimeters (67 inches) in length. It weighed approximately 34 kilograms (75 pounds). Early Bird used a system of microwave relay and ground stations to receive, amplify, and retransmit signals.

Launch and Orbit: Early Bird was launched aboard a Delta D rocket from Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral) in Florida. It was placed into a geosynchronous orbit, specifically positioned over the Atlantic Ocean.

Operational Success: Early Bird was highly successful and revolutionized global communications. It facilitated the transmission of the first live television broadcasts across the Atlantic, including the historic boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston in 1965. It also significantly reduced the time delay in international telephone calls.

Later Operations: Early Bird operated for almost four years, far surpassing its expected operational lifespan of 18 months. It was eventually retired in 1969 but remained in orbit as a backup until 1976.

Legacy: Early Bird’s success paved the way for the development and deployment of subsequent communications satellites. It demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of satellite communication systems, leading to the rapid expansion of global telecommunications networks.

American Civil War — The Battle of Yorktown begins

The Schutzstaffel (SS) is founded under Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party in Germany.

The Schutzstaffel (SS), which translates to “Protection Squadron” in English, was a paramilitary organization in Nazi Germany that played a significant role in Adolf Hitler’s regime. Originally established in 1925 as Hitler’s personal bodyguard unit, the SS expanded into a powerful and influential organization under the leadership of Heinrich Himmler.

Personal Protection: Initially, the SS was tasked with providing security and protection for Hitler and other high-ranking Nazi officials.

Policing: The SS established its own police force, the SS-Totenkopfverbände (Death’s Head Units), which administered concentration camps and carried out various policing duties, including suppression of dissent and enforcing racial policies.

Racial Ideology and Eugenics: Under Himmler’s leadership, the SS became deeply involved in implementing Nazi racial policies, including the persecution and extermination of Jews, Romani people, homosexuals, and others deemed undesirable according to Nazi ideology. The SS played a central role in the Holocaust, coordinating the mass murder of millions of people in extermination camps.

Military Operations: During World War II, the SS expanded into a military force, with combat units such as the Waffen-SS. These units fought alongside the regular German army and were involved in numerous war crimes and atrocities.

Security and Intelligence: The SS also had its own intelligence agency, the Sicherheitsdienst (SD), which was responsible for espionage, surveillance, and gathering intelligence within Germany and occupied territories.

Heinrich Himmler, as Reichsführer-SS, wielded immense power within the organization. Under his leadership, the SS became synonymous with terror and brutality, carrying out some of the most heinous crimes in human history.

After World War II, the SS was declared a criminal organization by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, and its members were held accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust and the war. The SS remains a symbol of Nazi terror and genocide, and its atrocities continue to be remembered as some of the darkest chapters in human history.

Robert Walpole becomes, in effect, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, though he himself denied that title.

Robert Walpole is widely considered to be the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, although the term “Prime Minister” wasn’t formally used during his time. He served as de facto head of government from 1721 to 1742. Born on August 26, 1676, in Norfolk, England, Walpole came from a wealthy landowning family.

Walpole entered politics in the early 18th century, rising through the ranks of the Whig Party. He became a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1701, and his political acumen and skillful management of relationships helped him ascend to prominence. Walpole served in various ministerial positions before being appointed as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1721, effectively making him the most powerful figure in the British government.

During his time in office, Walpole implemented various economic reforms, including policies aimed at reducing the national debt and promoting trade. He also pursued a pragmatic foreign policy that sought to maintain peace and stability in Europe, particularly in relation to the ongoing conflicts between Britain and its European rivals.

One of Walpole’s most notable achievements was his ability to navigate the complex political landscape of his time, which included managing the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament. He cultivated support among MPs through patronage and skillful negotiation, earning him the nickname “the Great Manager.”

However, Walpole’s tenure was not without controversy. He faced criticism for his handling of issues such as government corruption and the South Sea Bubble financial crisis of 1720. Despite this, he managed to maintain a firm grip on power for over two decades, earning a reputation as a skilled politician and administrator.

Walpole’s dominance in British politics eventually waned, and he resigned from office in 1742 following a series of political defeats. He was later created the Earl of Orford in recognition of his service to the country. Robert Walpole died on March 18, 1745, but his legacy as the first de facto Prime Minister of Great Britain remains significant, marking a crucial development in the evolution of the British political system.

In New York, Mafia boss John Gotti is convicted of murder and racketeering and is later sentenced to life in prison.

John Gotti, also known as “The Teflon Don” and “The Dapper Don,” was a notorious American mobster who rose to prominence as the boss of the Gambino crime family, one of the five Mafia families in New York City. Born on October 27, 1940, in the Bronx, New York, Gotti became involved in organized crime at a young age.

Gotti’s rise within the Gambino crime family began in the 1970s when he aligned himself with the influential mobster Aniello Dellacroce. Through his connections and ruthlessness, Gotti quickly climbed the ranks, eventually becoming a capo in the Gambino family.

However, Gotti’s ascent to power was marked by violence and treachery. He was implicated in various criminal activities, including extortion, loan sharking, illegal gambling, and drug trafficking. Despite his involvement in these illicit activities, Gotti managed to evade conviction for many years, earning him the nickname “The Teflon Don” due to his ability to escape legal repercussions.

In 1985, Gotti orchestrated the assassination of Paul Castellano, the then-boss of the Gambino crime family, in a brazen act that shocked the underworld. Following Castellano’s murder, Gotti assumed control of the Gambino family, solidifying his position as one of the most powerful mob bosses in New York City.

During his reign as boss, Gotti became a high-profile figure, often appearing in the media and gaining a reputation for his flamboyant lifestyle and expensive suits, which earned him the nickname “The Dapper Don.” However, his flashy persona also attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies, who intensified their efforts to bring him to justice.

In 1992, Gotti’s luck finally ran out when he was convicted on multiple charges, including murder, racketeering, and conspiracy. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and was incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois.

John Gotti died on June 10, 2002, at the age of 61, while still serving his life sentence. Despite his imprisonment, Gotti’s legacy continues to fascinate and intrigue people, making him one of the most infamous figures in the history of organized crime in the United States.

Comet Hale–Bopp is seen passing at perihelion.

Comet Hale-Bopp was one of the most widely observed comets of the 20th century. It was discovered independently by Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp on July 23, 1995. The comet became visible to the naked eye in May 1996, and it remained visible for about 18 months, making it one of the longest-duration naked-eye comets in recorded history.

Discovery: Alan Hale, an amateur astronomer from New Mexico, and Thomas Bopp, an amateur astronomer from Arizona, both discovered the comet on the same day, though they were not working together. This was a rare event in astronomy, as most comets are discovered by professional astronomers using telescopes.

Appearance: Comet Hale-Bopp had a bright, glowing coma (the fuzzy cloud surrounding the comet’s nucleus) and a long, prominent tail. It was visible to the naked eye for an extended period, even in urban areas with significant light pollution.

Orbit: Hale-Bopp is a long-period comet, meaning it has a highly elliptical orbit that takes it far beyond the orbit of Pluto. Its orbit around the Sun takes about 2,500 years.

Scientific Interest: Scientists were particularly interested in studying Comet Hale-Bopp because it was relatively large and active, giving them valuable insights into the composition and behavior of comets. Numerous observations were made using ground-based telescopes, space telescopes, and spacecraft.

Cult Following: Hale-Bopp gained notoriety beyond the scientific community due to a group known as Heaven’s Gate, a religious cult that believed an alien spacecraft was following the comet. In 1997, 39 members of the cult committed mass suicide in the belief that their souls would be transported to the spacecraft.

Legacy: Comet Hale-Bopp remains one of the most famous comets in history, and its passage in 1997 stimulated public interest in astronomy. It also contributed valuable data to our understanding of comets and their role in the solar system.