On this day

25 April in history.

5 moments from 1792 to 1961: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

More from 25 April

  1. Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle (1760-1836), author of La Marseillaise

    1792

    La Marseillaise is written

    In one night in Strasbourg, army officer Rouget de Lisle wrote a marching song. It became the national anthem of France.

    Wikipedia: La MarseillaiseWikipedia: Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle

    Photo: Unknown artist / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Gelatin silver print of a portrait of civil rights activist and educator Mary McLeod Bethune , Van Vechten number: IV GG 5

    1944

    The United Negro College Fund

    A fund was set up to raise money for historically Black colleges. Its motto: "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

    Wikipedia: UNCF

    Photo: Carl Van Vechten / Adam Cuerden / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Solar cell

    1954

    A practical solar cell

    Bell Labs showed off a silicon solar cell that turned sunlight into electricity well enough to be useful. It powered a toy Ferris wheel and a radio.

    Wikipedia: Solar cellWikipedia: Bell Labs

    Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. In 1959, Robert Noyce co-invented the integrated circuit

    1961

    A patent for the silicon chip

    Robert Noyce was granted a patent for his integrated circuit made of silicon. He later co-founded Intel.

    Wikipedia: Robert NoyceWikipedia: Integrated circuit

    Photo: Intel Free Press / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.