Events

Reykjavík Summit (October 1986) Reykjavík Summit A pivotal 1986 meeting in Reykjavík between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that advanced arms-control talks and helped produce the 1987 INF Treaty…

Rio Carnival (Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro) Rio Carnival Annual pre-Lenten festival in Rio de Janeiro centered on samba parades, street parties (blocos) and elaborate costumes; a major cultural, social and tourist event drawing millions…

Riot: causes, dynamics, policing, and notable examples Riot A concise guide to riots: what they are, common triggers and behaviors, policing responses and control methods, notable historical examples, and social and legal consequences.

Rivonia Trial (1963–1964): The prosecution of ANC leaders in South Africa Rivonia Trial Major apartheid-era criminal trial in South Africa (1963–64) in which leaders of the African National Congress were accused of sabotage; resulted in life sentences and internationa…

Roerich Pact (Pax Cultura): International agreement for protecting cultural property Roerich Pact 1935 inter‑American treaty promoting protection of museums, monuments and scientific institutions; emphasized cultural preservation over military necessity and inspired later herit…

Roman conquest of Britain (AD 43–c.410): invasion, occupation and legacy Roman conquest of Britain The Roman conquest of Britain began under Emperor Claudius in AD 43 and created the province of Britannia. The campaign, resistance, Romanization and long-term legacy shaped Britai…

Romanian Revolution of 1989 Romanian Revolution A brief, neutral overview of the December 1989 uprising in Romania that ended Nicolae Ceaușescu's rule, its causes, course, outcomes and how it differed from other Eastern European…

Rose Parade (Tournament of Roses) Rose Parade Annual floral procession in Pasadena held on New Year's Day (or Jan 2 if Jan 1 is a Sunday), featuring flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrian units and preceding the Ros…

Roswell UFO Incident: 1947 crash, explanations, and cultural impact Roswell UFO incident Overview of the 1947 Roswell incident: discovery of debris near Roswell, New Mexico; military statements and later investigations; conspiracy theories and its influence on popular…

Royal Rumble The Royal Rumble is WWE's annual January event built around a timed-entry over‑the‑top‑rope battle royal. Its winner traditionally earns a championship opportunity at WrestleMania.

Royal Rumble (2000) The 22nd Royal Rumble match, a 30-man over-the-top-rope elimination bout won by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson amid a disputed final elimination involving The Big Show.

Royal Rumble (2006) — WWE pay-per-view in Miami Royal Rumble (2006) The 19th annual Royal Rumble took place on January 29, 2006 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. The 30-man match was won by Rey Mysterio, earning a world title opportunity at…

Royal Rumble (2007) — WWE pay-per-view event Royal Rumble (2007) Royal Rumble (2007) was WWE's 20th annual Royal Rumble, held on January 28, 2007 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The show featured the signature over‑the‑top‑rope match and cham…

Royal Rumble (2008) Overview of WWE's Royal Rumble 2008 at Madison Square Garden, the 21st Royal Rumble event, its match card, main event Royal Rumble match won by John Cena, and its significance in W…

Royal Rumble (2009) — WWE pay-per-view in Detroit Royal Rumble (2009) Overview, matches, format and reception of WWE's 2009 Royal Rumble event at Joe Louis Arena, including the 22nd Royal Rumble match won by Randy Orton and the night's championship b…

Royal Rumble (2010) — WWE pay-per-view in Atlanta Royal Rumble (2010) Comprehensive overview of WWE's 2010 Royal Rumble: event details, match card and outcomes, Royal Rumble match mechanics and significance heading into WrestleMania XXVI.

Royal Rumble (2011) — WWE's 24th Royal Rumble event Royal Rumble (2011) Royal Rumble (2011) was WWE's 24th Royal Rumble pay-per-view, held Jan 30, 2011 at Boston's TD Garden; it featured a one-off 40-man Royal Rumble match won by Alberto Del Rio for a…

Royal Rumble (2012) — 25th annual WWE event in St. Louis Royal Rumble (2012) Summary of the 25th Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view held January 29, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis: format, context, significance, and legacy.

Royal Rumble (2014) WWE pay-per-view held January 26, 2014 in Pittsburgh, highlighted by Batista's Royal Rumble victory and a breakout performance by Roman Reigns.

Royal Rumble (2017) WWE's Royal Rumble on January 29, 2017, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Randy Orton won the 30-man Royal Rumble to earn a WrestleMania 33 title shot; John Cena regained the WWE Ch…

Royal Rumble (2019) — WWE event in Phoenix, Arizona Royal Rumble (2019) Summary of WWE's Royal Rumble 2019: card, outcomes, attendance debate, production notes and its role in the road to WrestleMania following the January 27 show at Chase Field.

Rugby World Cup: global championship of rugby union Rugby World Cup The Rugby World Cup is the leading international tournament in rugby union, held every four years, featuring 20 teams competing for the Webb Ellis Cup and widespread global attenti…

Running of the Bulls (el encierro) Running of the Bulls A traditional spectacle in which people run ahead of bulls through sectioned streets, most famously in Pamplona; covers origins, course, safety, controversies and other locations.

Rwandan genocide (1994): causes, events, and aftermath Rwandan genocide A concise account of the 1994 Rwandan genocide: background, timeline of the 100 days of mass killing, perpetrators and victims, international response, and long-term consequences.

Ryder Cup Biennial men's team golf competition between the United States and Europe, played in match-play team sessions and singles since 1927, known for intense rivalry, national pride and…

Sacking of Lawrence (1856): attack on an antislavery town in Kansas Territory Sacking of Lawrence The Sacking of Lawrence (May 21, 1856) was a violent pro‑slavery assault on the antislavery town of Lawrence, Kansas, destroying presses and buildings and intensifying the conflict…

Sacking of Osceola (September 1861) Sacking of Osceola An unauthorized raid by Kansas anti-slavery irregulars led by James H. Lane that looted and burned Osceola, Missouri on Sept. 23, 1861, freeing enslaved people and escalating viole…

Salem Witch Trials (1692–1693): events, courts, and lasting impact Salem Witch Trials Overview of the 1692–1693 Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts: causes, courtroom procedures, convictions and executions, aftermath, and cultural legacy.

Salt March (Dandi March): Gandhi’s 1930 Campaign of Nonviolent Civil Disobedience Salt March The Salt March was Mahatma Gandhi's 1930 nonviolent protest against the British salt laws. Beginning at Sabarmati and ending at Dandi, it galvanized Indian resistance and internati…

Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) Salzburg Festival Annual summer festival of opera, classical music and drama in Salzburg, Austria, renowned for high‑profile productions and strong ties to Mozart's legacy.

SAM Colombia Flight 501 — 1993 Boeing 727 crash near Medellín SAM Colombia Flight 501 May 19, 1993 crash of a SAM Colombia Boeing 727 into Mount Páramo Frontino near Medellín. All 132 aboard were killed; navigational errors, unserviceable navaids and thunderstorms w…

San Diego Comic-Con: Origins, Events, and Cultural Influence San Diego Comic-Con San Diego Comic-Con is a major annual fan convention founded in 1970 to celebrate comics; it has grown into a global pop-culture event featuring panels, film and TV previews, exhib…

San Fermín (Sanfermines): Pamplona's annual festival and the Running of the Bulls San Fermín Annual festival in Pamplona, Spain (July 6–14) known for the Running of the Bulls, the chupinazo, street processions, music and nightly bullfights honoring Saint Fermin.

San Marino Grand Prix A former Formula One World Championship race held at Imola's Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, named for the nearby Republic of San Marino and notable for its challenging layout and h…

Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting (Newtown, 2012) Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012, killed 28 people, mostly children and staff, and spurred national debates on gun policy, sch…

Santa Fe High School shooting (May 18, 2018) Santa Fe High School shooting A mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas on May 18, 2018 left ten people dead and prompted national debate over school safety and gun violence.

Saudia Flight 163 A 1980 in-flight fire aboard a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar that led to the deaths of all 301 people on board after an emergency landing in Riyadh; investigation focused on a cargo-area…

Saugus High School shooting (November 14, 2019) Saugus High School shooting A school shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California on November 14, 2019 left two students dead, three wounded and the shooter dead by suicide; the incident prompt…

Scandal: definition, causes, history and social effects Scandal A scandal is a widely publicized allegation of wrongdoing or moral offense. This article explains what scandals are, their common features, notable examples, and how they shape law…

Scopes Trial (State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes) Scopes trial A landmark 1925 American court case about teaching evolution in public schools; centered on teacher John Scopes, lawyers Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, and the wider F…

Scottish independence referendum, 2014 Scottish independence referendum A UK-wide referendum held on 18 September 2014 that asked whether Scotland should become an independent country. The vote resulted in a majority choosing to remain part of the Unit…

Second Battle of El Alamein (23 October – 5 November 1942) Second Battle of El Alamein A decisive Allied victory in the Western Desert Campaign of WWII that ended Axis hopes of seizing Egypt and the Suez Canal and marked the beginning of the Axis retreat in North Afr…

Second Battle of Ypres (April–May 1915) Second Battle of Ypres A major 1915 engagement in the First World War around Ypres, Belgium, notable for the first successful large-scale use of chlorine gas on the Western Front and its tactical and hum…

Second Fleet (Australia) The Second Fleet was the follow-up convoy from Britain to the penal settlement at Sydney Cove. Run largely by private contractors, its voyage became notorious for neglect of convic…

Second inauguration of Andrew Jackson (March 4, 1833) Second inauguration of Andrew Jackson Overview and significance of Andrew Jackson's second presidential inauguration, held in the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 1833, with details on participants, setting, and notable firsts…

Second inauguration of Bill Clinton (1997) Second inauguration of Bill Clinton The ceremony marking Bill Clinton's second swearing-in as U.S. president on January 20, 1997: overview of the event, key participants, themes of the inaugural address, and its hist…

Second Inauguration of George Washington (March 4, 1793) Second inauguration of George Washington George Washington's second presidential inauguration began his second term on March 4, 1793, in the Senate Chamber of Congress Hall in Philadelphia, with John Adams serving again a…

Second inauguration of James Madison (March 4, 1813) Second inauguration of James Madison The second inauguration of James Madison on March 4, 1813, began his second presidential term and marked Elbridge Gerry’s only vice-presidential term amid the War of 1812.