This Day in History: March 7

161 Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, an unprecedented political arrangement in the Roman Empire

Upon the death of Antoninus Pius, the Roman Empire was left without a clear successor. However, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus were eventually chosen to rule jointly, which was a significant deviation from the usual single ruler system. This arrangement was a response to the challenges facing the Empire, including war and economic difficulties.

1530 English King Henry VIII's divorce request is denied by the Pope

King Henry VIII's request to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon was denied by Pope Clement VII, leading to a significant political and religious crisis in England. This event marked a turning point in Henry's reign, as he eventually broke away from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England.

1876 Alexander Graham Bell receives a patent for the telephone in the US

Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone revolutionized communication and earned him a patent for his work. The device allowed people to communicate over long distances with ease, and its impact on society cannot be overstated.

1900 The SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse becomes the first ship to send wireless signals to shore

The German liner SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse made history by being the first ship to send wireless signals to shore. This innovation allowed for faster and more reliable communication between ships and coastal stations, and it paved the way for the widespread use of wireless technology in maritime communication.

1926 The first two-way transatlantic telephone takes place

A groundbreaking achievement in communication, the first two-way transatlantic telephone call was made between the post office in London and Bell Laboratories in New York. This accomplishment paved the way for future developments in global communication.

1936 Adolf Hitler breaks the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops into the Rhineland

Hitler's decision to send troops into the Rhineland, which was demilitarized by the Treaty of Versailles, was a direct violation of the treaty and a significant challenge to the international order. This event marked a turning point in European diplomacy and was a prelude to the outbreak of World War II.

1945 U.S. troops capture the Ludendorff Bridge and cross the Rhine at Remagen

The capture of the Ludendorff Bridge was a significant military achievement for the Allied forces, as it allowed them to cross the Rhine and continue their advance into Germany. This event was a turning point in the war and helped to pave the way for Allied victory in Europe.

1965 Police brutally attack civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama

The events of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, brought attention to the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the United States. The police brutality against peaceful demonstrators helped to galvanize public support for the Civil Rights movement and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

1971 A speech by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman helps spark the Bangladesh war of independence

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic speech in 1971 called for the independence of East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) from West Pakistan