History Today

Today in History — May 12

1949

12 May 1949: Soviet Union Ends the Berlin Blockade After Historic Airlift

On May 12, 1949, one of the first major crises of the Cold War came to a dramatic conclusion when the Soviet Union lifted its eleven-month blockade of West Berlin. The end of the blockade…

Read more →

More from the Archive

1997

11 May 1997: Deep Blue Defeats Garry Kasparov in Historic Chess Match

On May 11, 1997, the world witnessed a pivotal moment in the history of artificial intelligence when IBM's chess-playing computer Deep Blue defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in the decisive sixth game of their historic…

Read more →
1869

10 May 1869: The Transcontinental Railroad United America with the Golden Spike

On May 10, 1869, one of the most transformative moments in American history took place at Promontory Summit in Utah Territory. Officials and workers from the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways gathered for a…

Read more →