#ThrowbackThursday – 20 June
It’s 20 June, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:
1789 – Game, Set, Match
For hundreds of years, the Kingdom of France had been governed by the Ancien Régime, a political system which favoured the monarchy, nobility and clergy, while the commoners (serfs and peasants) suffered its most brutal effects: famine, poverty, costly taxes and so on.
That all changed on 14 July 1789, when the French population rose up against the Régime by storming the Bastille in Paris, thus sparking off the French Revolution. Less than a month before this event occurred, however, a notable gathering took place.
On 20 June 1789, deputies of the French Third Estate – who represented the commoners, as well as the middle class – were locked out of their usual meeting place at the Estates-General (which included the clergy and nobility). This was because they had begun referring to themselves as the “National Assembly” three days before, and King Louis XVI – feeling threatened by their actions – locked them out in the hopes that he could maintain his authority and prevent reforms from taking place.
Undeterred, the Third Estate gathered at an unusual venue: an indoor tennis court near the Palace of Versailles. There, under the leadership of politician Jean Joseph Mounier, they officially declared themselves as the National Assembly, and took an oath not to disband until a new constitution for France had been established.
This event, known as the “Tennis Court Oath”, was a key moment in the early phases of the French Revolution, thus setting the stage for the radical changes that were to come.
1895 – Breaking Barriers
It’s common for women to achieve significant accomplishments in higher education today. Back in 1895, though, it was a groundbreaking achievement for Caroline Willard Baldwin to become the first woman to earn a PhD from an American university.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Mechanics at Berkeley, California, Baldwin pursued her next phase of education: graduate studies at Cornell University.
On 20 June, 1895, she became the first woman to receive a PhD – for Physics, in her case – from Cornell University, just ten days before her 27th birthday. Her thesis, “A Photographic Study of Arc Spectra”, was published a year later in a major scientific journal, “Physical Review”.
Unfortunately, Baldwin’s career options – particularly in higher education – were quite limited, due to her being a woman. After receiving her PhD, she managed to become a physics teacher at the California School of Mechanical Arts in San Francisco, a post she held until 1900.
Nevertheless, Baldwin’s accomplishment has doubtlessly paved the way for future generations of women around the world to pursue advanced degrees and make significant contributions in their fields of study!
1975 – “Jaws” Makes its Mark
Da-dum. Da-dum. Da-dum, da-dum, da-dum, da-dum, da-DUM!
Whether or not you’re a fan of “Jaws”, you probably recognise this ominous little ditty, which was composed by John Williams for the thriller film that was directed by Steven Spielberg and released on this day 49 years ago.
Making its premiere in theatres across North America on 20 June 1975, “Jaws” tells the story of a terrifying, man-eating great white shark that terrorises an American beach town. It’s up to the town’s police chief, Martin Brody (played by Roy Scheider), marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) to stop the shark before it can claim more lives.
Behind the scenes, the film was beset by budget overruns, production delays and mechanical failures – the shark animatronic frequently malfunctioned during filming, due to being submerged in salt water; as a result, it was rarely seen in the finished product. All of this frustrated Spielberg, who wanted to leave the project but was contractually obligated to see the flick to its completion.
To the surprise of all, “Jaws” became a hit summer blockbuster and went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time until it was surpassed by “Star Wars” two years later. Fans and critics praised the acting and directing, and not least of all, the use of suspense, exemplified by the shark when it finally DID appear on screen, as well as its sinister yet iconic leitmotif, courtesy of Williams.
“Jaws” has since become one of the most beloved movies of all time, and is considered a pop culture phenomenon. It also turned Spielberg into one of Hollywood’s most famous directors – he later went on to direct flicks such as “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”, “Jurassic Park”, “West Side Story” and much, much more!
