Events

Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 AirAsia Flight 8501, an Airbus A320, crashed into the Java Sea on 28 December 2014 en route from Surabaya to Singapore, killing all 162 on board; an investigation found technical f…

Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308 accident (1 December 1981) Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308 Crash of Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308 on Mont San-Pietro, Corsica (1981). Controlled flight into terrain after approach miscommunication; all 180 aboard were killed. First maj…

1918 Influenza Pandemic (Spanish flu) Influenza pandemic of 1918 Worldwide outbreak of influenza from 1918–1920 that infected roughly one quarter of people and caused tens of millions of deaths; notable for its high mortality among young adults…

International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) International Science and Engineering Fair An annual international pre‑college science competition administered by the Society for Science & the Public. ISEF brings high‑school researchers together to present original STEM…

International Year of Natural Fibres (2009) International Year of Natural Fibres Overview of the UN-declared International Year of Natural Fibres (2009): purpose, origins, fibre types, uses, and the international response led by the FAO and UN to promote sustai…

Invitation to William (1688) Invitation to William A secret letter from seven English notables inviting William of Orange to intervene in England in 1688; it precipitated the Glorious Revolution and the accession of William and Mar…

Iran Air Flight 291 (1980) — Crash near Tehran in the Alborz Mountains Iran Air Flight 291 On 21 January 1980 Iran Air Flight 291, a Boeing 727-86, struck terrain during approach to Tehran in poor weather. All 128 people aboard were killed; investigators cited inoperativ…

Iran hostage crisis (1979–1981) Iran hostage crisis A diplomatic standoff in which 52 Americans were held in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran for 444 days after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, with long‑lasting effects on U.S.–Iran relations…

Iran–Contra affair (1985–1987) Iran–Contra affair A political scandal in the United States involving clandestine arms sales to Iran and diversion of funds to Nicaraguan Contra rebels, leading to investigations, prosecutions, and l…

Iraq War (2003–2011) and subsequent conflict Iraq War Armed conflict beginning with the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein, followed by occupation, insurgency, sectarian violence, withdrawal, and the later rise o…

Irish Rebellion of 1798 A popular uprising in Ireland against British rule in 1798 led mainly by the United Irishmen, influenced by revolutionary ideas and aided by a French expedition; suppressed with he…

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft (1990): the largest-value art heist in U.S. history Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft The March 18, 1990 theft from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum removed 13 works—including a Vermeer and a Rembrandt. The case remains unsolved and the artworks unrecovered.

Isra and Mi'raj: the Night Journey and Ascension in Islamic Tradition Isra' and Mi'raj Isra and Mi'raj describe the Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous night journey from Mecca to the ‘farthest mosque’ and his ascent to the heavens; an event with theological, liturgical an…

Istanbul nightclub shooting (Reina, 1 January 2017) Istanbul nightclub shooting A mass shooting at the Reina nightclub in Istanbul on 1 January 2017 killed 39 people. The attacker, an ISIL-linked Uzbek, opened fire on New Year revelers with an AK‑47 assault ri…

Istanbul pogrom of September 1955 Istanbul pogrom A large-scale anti-Greek riot in Istanbul on 6–7 September 1955 that targeted Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities, caused extensive destruction and accelerated the decline of th…

Italian invasion of Albania (1939) Italian invasion of Albania A concise account of Italy's 1939 military campaign that overran Albania, established an Italian-controlled regime, and shaped the Balkans in the run-up to World War II.

Jackie Robinson Day Annual Major League Baseball observance on April 15 honoring Jackie Robinson’s 1947 debut and his role in ending baseball segregation; features tributes, education, and the univers…

Jacksonville Landing shooting (August 26, 2018) Jacksonville Landing shooting Mass shooting at a Madden NFL 19 tournament in Jacksonville, Florida on August 26, 2018. Two victims and the gunman were killed and 11 others wounded. The attack prompted emergency…

Jallianwala Bagh massacre (Amritsar, 1919) Jallianwala Bagh massacre The Jallianwala Bagh massacre: the April 1919 shooting by British Indian Army troops at a peaceful gathering in Amritsar that killed and wounded hundreds, reshaping Indian public o…

Jamboree (Scouting gathering) Jamboree A jamboree is a large gathering of Scouts for fellowship, skills, cultural exchange and organized activities. World, national and regional jamborees bring tens of thousands of part…

January 11 January 11 is the 11th day of the Gregorian calendar year. It falls in mid-winter in the Northern Hemisphere and is associated with seasonal, cultural and calendar observances worl…

January 17 January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It is associated with seasonal, cultural and historical observances and marks 348 days remaining (349 in leap year…

January 22 January 22 is the 22nd day of the Gregorian calendar year, falling in winter in the Northern Hemisphere and known for several notable historical events and observances.

January 25 January 25 is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; notable for Burns Night, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, and the 2011 Egyptian uprising anniversary.

January 30 January 30 is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, noted for several historic events and observances; 335 days remain (336 in leap years).

January 31–February 2, 2011 North American winter storm (Groundhog Day Blizzard) January 31 – February 2, 2011 North American winter storm A large multi-hazard storm that struck North America Jan 31–Feb 2, 2011, producing heavy snow, widespread ice, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes across the Plains, Midwest and Nort…

January–February 2019 North American cold wave Late January–early February 2019 Arctic outbreak driven by a polar vortex disruption that produced record lows, extreme wind chills, widespread impacts and several deaths across pa…

Japan Airlines Flight 123 (1985) — In-flight structural failure and crash Japan Airlines Flight 123 On 12 August 1985 Japan Airlines Flight 123 suffered an explosive decompression and loss of control after a faulty tail repair. The Boeing 747 crashed in Gunma Prefecture; 520 died…

Japan Cup — premier international horse race in Japan Japan Cup The Japan Cup is Japan’s leading international turf horse race, run at Tokyo Racecourse over 2400 metres each late November. It is a major global middle-distance event with one of…

Japanese Grand Prix A Formula One World Championship round held in Japan, traditionally late in the season. Hosted mainly at Suzuka and Fuji, it is known for dramatic title deciders, distinctive circu…

Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages): Kyoto's Annual Historical Parade Jidai Matsuri Jidai Matsuri, held every October 22 in Kyoto, is a large historical pageant with thousands in period costume reenacting Japan's past. It blends Shinto ritual, civic commemoration…

Jinnah–Sikandar Pact (1937) Jinnah-Sikandar Pact An agreement reached in Lucknow in October 1937 between Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan that allowed cooperation between the All-India Muslim League and Punjab’s Un…

Jnaneswari Express derailment (28 May 2010) Jnaneswari Express train derailment A major train derailment in West Midnapore, West Bengal, on 28 May 2010 that killed over a hundred people and prompted investigations into suspected sabotage and rail security fail…

Joan Gamper Trophy An annual pre-season friendly football match hosted by FC Barcelona at Camp Nou, named for the club founder Joan Gamper. A ceremonial fixture used to present the team and prepare f…

John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry (1859): Background, Events, and Legacy John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry Account of John Brown's 1859 attempt to seize the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, its planning, armed engagement, trial and execution, and its significance in the lead-up to the A…

Johnstown Flood (Great Flood of 1889) Johnstown Flood The catastrophic collapse of the South Fork Dam on May 31, 1889, released a wall of water that inundated Johnstown, Pennsylvania, killing 2,209 people and causing massive destructi…

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (Iran nuclear deal) Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a multilateral agreement between Iran and the P5+1/EU limiting parts of Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions re…

Judgment Day (2000) — WWF pay-per-view in Louisville, Kentucky Judgment Day (2000) Judgment Day (2000) was a World Wrestling Federation pay-per-view held May 20, 2000 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, marking the start of an annual May event during the Attitude Era.

Judgment Day (2001) — WWF pay-per-view event Judgment Day (2001) Judgment Day (2001) was a World Wrestling Federation pay-per-view held on May 20, 2001 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California. It was the third event in the Judgment Day series.

Judgment Day (2002) — WWE pay-per-view event Judgment Day (2002) Judgment Day (2002) was a World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view held May 19, 2002, at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee, during the early WWE brand-exte…

Judgment Day (2003) — WWE Pay-Per-View Event Judgment Day (2003) WWE pay-per-view held May 18, 2003 at the Charlotte Coliseum. A transitional show in the early brand-split era, it was the last dual-branded PPV before WWE moved to brand-exclusive…

Judgment Day (2004) — WWE pay-per-view event Judgment Day (2004) Judgment Day (2004) was a World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view held on May 16, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It was the sixth event in the annual Judgment Day se…

Judgment Day (2005) WWE pay-per-view held May 22, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis; the seventh event in the Judgment Day series featuring championship bouts and storyline developments.

Judgment Day (2006) — WWE pay-per-view event in Phoenix Judgment Day (2006) Judgment Day (2006) was the eighth annual WWE pay-per-view held May 21, 2006, at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The show featured multiple professional wrestling matche…

Judgment Day (2007) — WWE pay-per-view in St. Louis, Missouri Judgment Day (2007) Judgment Day (2007) was the ninth annual Judgment Day pay-per-view promoted by World Wrestling Entertainment, held May 20, 2007 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Judgment Day (2008) — WWE pay-per-view event Judgment Day (2008) Judgment Day (2008) was a World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view held on May 18, 2008 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska. It was the tenth event in the annual Judgment Day…

Judgment Day (2009) Judgment Day (2009) was a World Wrestling Entertainment pay‑per‑view held May 17, 2009 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois; it was the final event in the Judgment Day serie…

July 11 July 11 is the 192nd day of the Gregorian year (193rd in leap years). A midsummer date in the Northern Hemisphere, it hosts observances such as World Population Day and several rel…