1768day.year
The first edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica is published.
The first edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica was published in Edinburgh on December 10, 1768, heralding a new era of accessible knowledge.
Compiled by William Smellie and his colleagues, the initial three-volume edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica offered comprehensive articles on a wide array of subjects. Its systematic organization and emphasis on scholarly accuracy set new standards for reference works. The publication emerged during the Scottish Enlightenment, reflecting the era's commitment to learning and reason. Despite modest initial sales, Britannica's reputation grew rapidly, attracting contributions from notable intellectuals. Subsequent editions expanded the encyclopedia's scope, solidifying its status as an indispensable resource. The first edition's release marked the beginning of a legacy that endures in digital and print forms.
1768
Encyclopædia Britannica
1896day.year
Alfred Jarry's Ubu Roi premieres in Paris. A riot breaks out at the end of the performance.
Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi premiered in Paris, shocking audiences and sparking a riot with its outré language and absurdist satire.
Alfred Jarry’s ground-breaking play Ubu Roi premiered in Paris in 1896, igniting a riot at its conclusion. Its surreal humor and anarchic language shocked the audience, challenging theatrical conventions. Jarry’s absurdist satire targeted authority figures, inspiring the emerging avant-garde. The infamous opening word “Merdre!” (a play on “merde”) provoked gasps and laughter. Rioters clashed with police in the lobby as uproarious critics debated the work’s value. Ubu Roi’s scandalous premiere cemented its place as a landmark in modern theater.
1896
Alfred Jarry
Ubu Roi
1909day.year
Selma Lagerlöf becomes the first female writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.
In 1909, Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for her pioneering storytelling.
Selma Lagerlöf was born in 1858 in Värmland, Sweden, and gained recognition for her evocative storytelling that drew on local legends and landscapes. Her debut novel, Gösta Berling's Saga, published in 1891, captivated readers with its vivid characters and poetic prose. Over the following decades, Lagerlöf produced a body of work that blended realism with folklore, earning her national and international acclaim. In 1909, the Nobel Committee awarded her the Nobel Prize in Literature, citing her remarkable contribution to imaginative literature. As the first woman to receive this honor, she shattered a significant glass ceiling in the literary world. Her achievement inspired generations of female authors and cemented her legacy as a pioneer in modern literature.
1909
Selma Lagerlöf
Nobel Prize in Literature
1953day.year
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill receives the Nobel Prize in Literature.
In 1953, Winston Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his mastery of historical and biographical works, particularly his multi-volume account of World War II.
Having led Britain through the perils of World War II, Winston Churchill turned to writing in peacetime, producing several volumes of memoir and history. His six-volume series The Second World War combined eyewitness experience with scholarly analysis, offering a compelling narrative of the global conflict. On December 10, 1953, the Nobel Committee honored Churchill with the prize, praising his eloquent prose and historical insight. At 78, he became one of the oldest recipients of the Literature Nobel, sharing the award with Norwegian writer Halldór Laxness. The decision acknowledged the power of Churchill's rhetoric in shaping public understanding of the war. His dual legacy as a statesman and author underscored the intersection of politics and literature.
1953
British
Winston Churchill
Nobel Prize in Literature