Hi, I’m Sen and this is Today in History — the series where you’ll learn about interesting moments from the past. All while improving your listening skills.

Today’s events will cover what happened to two different leaders, as well as a unique Cuban musician. You’ll hear the events twice. The first time through, don’t try and focus too much on the individual words or phrases. That’s what the second time through is for.

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

On July 23, 1952, King Farouk I of Egypt was overthrown by his own army officers. The Egyptian officers blamed the king for losing the war with Israel in 1948, and for failing to end British occupation. So, they forced him to step down. The Egyptian Revolution of 1952 is celebrated on this day each year.

On the same day in 1997, Elio Revé, a well-known Cuban musician and composer, died at the age of 67. Known as the “Father of Changüí”, Revé created a new style of salsa music that used different types of percussion than the traditional drums. He mixed the sounds of hand drums with violins, keyboards and more. The Changüí style was very popular in the Cuban music charts for many years.

On July 23, 1997, Slobodan Milošević became president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He was later charged with crimes he carried out during the Kosovo War. This made him the first head of state to be charged with war crimes while still in office. He died during his trial in 2006.

Now for a second listen. You can focus on the words and phrases themselves this time.

On July 23, 1952, King Farouk I of Egypt was overthrown by his own army officers. The Egyptian officers blamed the king for losing the war with Israel in 1948, and for failing to end British occupation. So, they forced him to step down. The Egyptian Revolution of 1952 is celebrated on this day each year.

On the same day in 1997, Elio Revé, a well-known Cuban musician and composer, died at the age of 67. Known as the “Father of Changüí,” Revé created a new style of salsa music that used different types of percussion than the traditional drums. He mixed the sounds of hand drums with violins, keyboards and more. The Changüí style was very popular in the Cuban music charts for many years.

On July 23, 1997, Slobodan Milošević became president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He was later charged with crimes he carried out during the Kosovo War. This made him the first head of state to be charged with war crimes while still in office. He died during his trial in 2006.

Let’s have a look at some of the more difficult words – there are a lot today! ‘Occupation’ is sometimes another word for ‘job’ or ‘profession’, but here it refers to the control of an area by a foreign power. What’s more, the expression ‘to step down’ means to leave a position. And, if you’re ‘charged’ with something, you're being ‘accused’ of doing it, by law. A ‘composer’ is someone who writes music. And, what about ‘percussion’? Well, it’s the name for all instruments that you play by hitting them with your hand or a stick, like a drum. As usual, feel free to rewind and listen to these words again.

That’s it for now. But, I’ll be back tomorrow with more historical facts. So join me then for another episode of Today in History.

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Episode notes: 

occupation: the control of an area by a foreign power 
to step down: to leave a position 
charged: accused of doing sth by law 
composer: someone who writes music 
percussion: all instruments that you play by hitting them with your hand or a stick, like a drum