Nathan Hale Is Hanged as a Spy in New York
On September 22, 1776, Nathan Hale was hanged by the British in New York for spying, at the age of 21.
Joseph Pulitzer Dies
On October 29, 1911, the newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, who founded the Pulitzer prizes, died at the age of 64.
Gamal Abdel Nasser Dies in Cairo at 52
On September 28, 1970, Gamal Abdel Nasser died of a heart attack in Cairo at 52, and millions mourned him across the Arab world.
Pope John Paul I Dies After 33 Days in Office
On September 28, 1978, Pope John Paul I died after 33 days as pope, and the circumstances produced conspiracy theories that persist.
Mozambique's President Dies in a Plane Crash
On October 19, 1986, Mozambican president Samora Machel died when his plane crashed into a hillside in South Africa; 34 people were killed.
The Ferry Estonia Sinks in the Baltic Sea
On September 28, 1994, the ferry Estonia sank in the Baltic with the loss of 852 lives, the worst European maritime disaster in decades.
The Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales
On September 6, 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, was buried from Westminster Abbey after a car crash in Paris; billions watched worldwide.
The Moscow Theatre Hostage Crisis
On October 23, 2002, armed hostage takers seized a Moscow theatre with about 850 people inside, demanding a Russian withdrawal from Chechnya.