Today in history 5/4/2021

1970: In Kent, Ohio, a shooting rampage was carried out at the Kent State University. It was aimed at tackling anti-war demonstrators. 28 National Guardsmen involved in the shooting rampage killed four students, and wounded eight. The tragedy was a watershed moment for a nation divided by the conflict in Vietnam, and further galvanised the anti-war movement.

1814: King Ferdinand VII of Spain signs the Decree of the 4th of May, returning Spain to absolutism.

1904: The United States started constructing the Panama Canal. It now serves as a conduit for maritime trade. It was one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects even undertaken. It is a shorter trade route, and it greatly reduces the time for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, enabling them to avoid the much longer and hazardous Cape Horn route.

1979: Margaret Thatcher became the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of Britain.