#ThrowbackThursday – 3 October
It’s 3 October, 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:
1888 – Legends in the Making
The All Blacks are arguably the pride of New Zealand. Known for their black uniforms emblazoned with a silver fern, for performing the Haka before their matches, and their fierce physical prowess and fast-paced style of play, the formidable rugby team is recognised as one of the most successful and iconic teams in sports history.
This legacy dates all the way back to 1888: a privately-organised team – known as New Zealand Natives, and consisting of Māori and non-Māori players – made the trip to the United Kingdom to play against various provincial teams.
On 3 October 1888, the Natives faced off against Surrey XV. A distinct feature of the visitors was their all-black uniforms, marking a first for any national rugby team. Additionally, they performed the Haka, a traditional Māori war dance that not only showcased their rich cultural heritage and team unity, but also aimed to intimidate their opponents (who were soundly beaten 4-1).
The rest, as they say, is history: following the formation of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union in 1892, an officially sanctioned team embarked on its first international tour to Australia, winning 34 out of 35 matches. Going from strength to strength from year to year, the All Blacks quickly established themselves as a dominant force in international rugby.
1945 – From Fifth Place to Fame
When it comes to musicians, Elvis Presley comes first in the hearts of music lovers around the world. But in his childhood, the American rock ‘n’ roller started his career with what was deemed a fifth-place performance!
At 10-years-old, Presley entered a youth talent competition, which was held at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show in Tupelo, Mississippi on 3 October 1945. Per reports, he wore a cowboy outfit, stood on a chair and sang his rendition of Red Foley’s “Old Shep” into a microphone.
For his efforts, Presley came in at fifth place in the competition, winning a prize of $5.00 in fair ride tickets. Funnily enough, he would release a more polished cover version of “Old Shep” in 1956, just as his illustrious career was beginning to take off!
1990 – A Country Reunited
At the stroke of midnight on 3 October 1990, a once-divided nation was united once again.
Following the defeat of Nazi Germany at the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the nation was divided into two distinct regions: the east aligned with the communist Soviet bloc, and the west associated with capitalist Europe. This division led to the establishment of separate military alliances: NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
Throughout the subsequent Cold War, the German people endured these externally imposed divisions. While West Germany thrived economically and developed a democratic society, East Germany struggled under a repressive regime with a centrally planned economy.
The city of Berlin itself, which was divided into four occupied sectors of control, became a focal point of the Cold War tensions. In 1961, the construction of the Berlin Wall physically segregated the city into East and West segments, separating families and friends. It symbolised oppression and the stark contrast between the two ideologies.
Decades later, pressures of the Cold War, political and economic unrest across the Soviet bloc, and protests from East German citizens culminated in significant change. By 1989, calls for reform, democracy and greater freedoms became louder, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Almost a year later, following a series of negotiations between West and East Germany, the nation was reunified as the Federal Republic of Germany. This transition took effect at midnight on 3 October 1990, much to the relief and joy of millions of citizens who had longed for unity for the last 35 years.
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