1 July - Today in History (Advanced)

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00:27

Hi, I’m Sen, and this is Today in History – the audio journey through time where you’ll learn about what happened on this day in years past! What’s more, you’ll practice your English listening skills and learn a few new words along the way!

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00:48

I’d recommend listening to this episode twice. First time through, don’t worry about understanding exactly what is being said. It’s not about trying to recognize every word, but rather listening passively and getting used to the rhythm of the speech. Then, on the second time through, you can try and focus more on the words, phrases and their meaning.

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01:16

Let’s begin. So, what happened today in history?

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01:28

On July 1, 1863, slavery was abolished in the Dutch colony of Surinam, South America. Now, this day is known as Ketikoti, which means “the chains are broken”. Every year, Ketikoti celebrates the emancipation of the Surinamese people. As a public platform, it puts pressure on the government to acknowledge its colonial history. Last year, in 2021, the mayor of Amsterdam formally apologized for the city’s involvement in slavery.

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02:11

On July 1, 1972, 2,000 people gathered in London on the Saturday nearest to the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Marking the first official Gay Pride march in the UK, the demonstration proceeded from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park despite facing a heavy police presence.

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02:44

On the very same day, the first issue of the feminist magazine “Ms.” was independently published. Ms. Magazine was the first feminist magazine in the United States and was founded by Gloria Steinem, a journalist, activist and key figure of second-wave feminism. Ms. broke barriers in American journalism by centering topics that were often sidelined by other national publications, such as domestic violence and abortion rights.

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03:20

How did you find that? I hope you enjoyed letting what was said just wash over you. Listening like this is a great way to absorb the general meaning. But, now, rewind, and have a second listen. Try focusing more on the individual words this time. See if you can understand as much of the whole episode as possible.

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03:46

That’s it for today! Want more historical facts? Be sure to check out a new episode of Today in History tomorrow!

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End

The end of slavery in Surinam, the first UK Pride rally, and Ms. Magazine. Join us and discover what happened on this day in the past, all while improving your listening skills and learning a few new words along the way. We’d love to hear your feedback or suggestions – you can email us at podcasting@babbel.com. We've simplified these events to give you short and snappy listening practice. Facts are accurate as of April 2022.