John Lennon fatally shot
On this day in 1980, British musician John Lennon—who rose to fame with the Beatles and had a successful solo career—was fatally shot by Mark David Chapman in New York City, causing a global outpouring of grief. 1980.
American pop star Taylor Swift staged the 149th and final show of her Eras Tour, which sold a record-setting $2 billion in tickets. 2024.
After 13 years of civil war in Syria, Bashar al-Assad was ousted as the country’s leader; his attempt to repress the uprising against his rule included brutal tactics, most infamously the use of chemical weapons. 2024.
SpaceX became the first commercial company to release a spacecraft—the Dragon capsule—into orbit and successfully return it to Earth. 2010.
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev signed a nuclear weapons reduction treaty. 1987.
English sociologist and philosopher Herbert Spencer, who introduced the term “survival of the fittest,” died in England. 1903.
Nicki Minaj (born December 8, 1982, St. James, Trinidad and Tobago) is a Trinidadian-born rapper, singer, songwriter, television personality, and actress known for her flowing quick-spoken rap style and for her provocative lyrics. She complements her music with a bold persona that includes colorful wigs and risqué clothing.
