Mankind has existed for hundreds of thousands of years, but some moments have left a bigger mark than others. In this series, we look back at key defining events and interesting developments from the past across the world, that continue to shape how we move through it today. Take the phrase “Big Brother”, now commonly used to describe mass surveillance or overreach. Its popularity traces back to George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, first published this week in history. This week also marks anniversaries of the conquest of Mount Everest, Goa becoming a state, and other interesting events of the past.
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1 / 7Sunday, May 24 | On this day in 1844, Samuel Morse sent the first public telegraph message — “What hath God wrought” — between Washington and Baltimore. The moment revolutionised long-distance communication and laid the foundation for modern telecommunications, from telephones to the internet. (Image: Canva)
2 / 7Monday, May 25 | On this day in 1961, John F Kennedy announced the ambitious goal of sending an American to the Moon before the end of the decade. The speech accelerated the space race between the US and the Soviet Union and ultimately led to the Apollo 11 Moon landing eight years later. (Image: IMDB)
3 / 7Tuesday, May 26 | On this day in 1896, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was first published in the US. Created by Charles Dow, the index began with just 12 companies and went on to become one of the world’s most closely watched stock market benchmarks.
4 / 7Wednesday, May 27 | On this day in 1998, India conducted the second round of its Pokhran-II nuclear tests, further cementing its status as a nuclear weapons power. The tests intensified tensions with Pakistan and drew global scrutiny, but also marked a defining moment in India’s strategic and defence doctrine.
5 / 7Thursday, May 28 | On this day in 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. Their expedition became one of the greatest achievements in exploration history and turned Everest into the ultimate symbol of endurance and ambition. (Image: Reuters)
6 / 7Friday, May 29 | On this day in 1453, the Fall of Constantinople brought an end to the Byzantine Empire after more than a thousand years. The Ottoman victory transformed regional power dynamics, strengthened Islamic rule in the eastern Mediterranean, and altered the course of European and world history. (Image: Canva)
7 / 7Saturday, May 30 | On this day in 1987, Goa officially became India’s 25th state, ending its status as a Union Territory. Formerly a Portuguese colony until 1961, Goa’s statehood marked a major political milestone and reinforced its distinct cultural and linguistic identity within the Indian Union. (Image: Canva)
