English mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing died #OTD in 1954.
During World War II, he played a crucial role in deciphering the Enigma code used by the German military, significantly contributing to the Allied war effort. In his paper "Computing Machinery and Intelligence," he proposed the famous Turing Test as a criterion for determining whether a machine can exhibit intelligent behavior indistinguishable from that of a human.
Greenlandic-Danish polar explorer and anthropologist Knud Rasmussen was born #OTD in 1879.
He went on his first expedition in 1902–1904, known as The Danish Literary Expedition, with Jørgen Brønlund, Harald Moltke and Ludvig Mylius-Erichsen, to examine Inuit culture and traditions. Rasmussen is best known for leading the Thule Expeditions, a series of seven major expeditions between 1912 and 1933.
"Colour! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams.... Color which, like music, is a matter of vibrations, reaches what is most general and therefore most indefinable in nature: its inner power."
The writings of a savage
French painter and sculptor Paul Gauguin was born #OTD in 1848.
Florentine physician, philosopher and botanist Andrea Cesalpino was born #OTD in 1524.
"De Plantis Libri XVI" (1583), is one of the earliest systematic treatises on plants. This book laid the groundwork for modern botanical classification. He organized plants based on their fruits and seeds rather than their medicinal properties, which was the common practice at the time. This method was a precursor to the binomial nomenclature system later developed by Carl Linnaeus.
French film director, producer, and screenwriter Louis Jean Lumière died #OTD in 1948.
Alongside his brother Auguste, Louis is best known for inventing the Cinématographe, a motion picture camera, projector, and printer all in one. The Lumière brothers' work laid the foundation for the film industry and revolutionized visual storytelling.
On this day in history: morning of June 6, 1944, the Brécourt Manor assault. If you ever needed an illustration that training in fundamentals, understanding and awareness of the situation, and small teams led by competent individuals as part of a large and meaningful undertaking where everyone knows what's at stake makes all the difference, this is it.
47 years ago today
Johnny Rotten with Johnny Ramone in a relaxed conversation backstage at The Roundhouse, London before a Ramones gig (with Talking Heads and The Saints supporting) June 6, 1977.
Venetian scholar Elena Cornaro Piscopia was born #OTD in 1646.
She was the first woman in the world to receive a doctoral degree. On June 25, 1678, Elena became the first woman to be awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Her doctoral examination was held in the cathedral of Padua to accommodate the large audience, including prominent scholars and nobles. The next female doctorate was granted by the University of Bologna in 1732 to Laura Bassi.
American writer William Sydney Porter died #OTD in 1910.
O. Henry's stories are known for their memorable characters, vivid descriptions, and especially their surprise endings. Some of his most famous stories include "The Gift of the Magi," "The Ransom of Red Chief," "The Last Leaf," and "The Cop and the Anthem."
"What can any individual do? Of that, every individual can judge. There is one thing that every individual can do, — they can see to it that they feel right."
Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery serial, Uncle Tom's Cabin, or Life Among the Lowly, starts a ten-month run in the National Era abolitionist newspaper.
Kafka's works were not widely known during his lifetime, and he published only a few of his stories. Most of his major works were published posthumously by his friend and literary executor, Max Brod, despite Kafka's instructions to destroy his manuscripts.
#OTD in 1140. The French scholar Peter Abelard is found guilty of heresy at the Council of Soissons.
This council was convened by the Church to examine his book "Theologia Summi Boni", which was seen as challenging orthodox Christian doctrine. Abelard's rational approach to theology and his emphasis on applying logic to faith led to suspicions among church authorities.
100 years ago #OnThisDay, 3 Jun 1924, Alfonsina Strada crosses the finish line of the Giro d'Italia. She remains the only woman to have officially ridden in a Grand Tour.
At one point she had been disqualified on time grounds but was allowed to continue without the option of prizes. She finished ahead of the lantern rouge (the last cyclist to finish).
Guglielmo Marconi applies for a patent for his wireless telegraph.
On 13 May 1897, Marconi sent the first ever wireless communication over open sea – a message was transmitted over the Bristol Channel from Flat Holm Island to Lavernock Point near Cardiff, a distance of 6 kilometres. The message read "Are you ready".
6 June 1599: b. Diego Velazquez #painter at #Sevilla#otd (Prado)
Here he peeks out from behind the large canvas on the left.
A court painter who favoured title over recompense.