My Top Story of the Century

Wilbur and Orville Wright Fly the First Powered Airplane, 1903.

On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers were the first people to successfully fly a powered airplane. They were able to make their own manufactured equipment and over seven hundred successful gliding flights before reaching the powered airplane success. The plane went down, but that was after flying their aircraft in the perfect wind and air conditions.

I think this was one of the top news stories of the 1900s because it was the successful creation of something new. This new machine brings a new aspect of future life and transportation. Without this story and these brothers, the airplane wouldn't be around and life today wouldn't be as efficient.

Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Assassinated in Memphis, Tn. 1968.

On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. He was shot in the back of the head while standing on his balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. The murder was soon found to be committed by James Earl Ray, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced 99 years in prison.

I think that this article was one of the top news stories because of how well known Martin Luther King. Jr. was. He was a civil rights leader and changed the views of many people while he was alive. His speeches and proclamations influenced the country as a whole. There is even a holiday dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. and how he fought for his rights.

Structure of DNA Discovered, 1953.

On February 28, 1953, two men named James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA. They showed that the DNA was composed of a double helix. They claimed to have discovered the "Secret of Life", and they weren't exaggerating. This was the first accurate model of DNA known to science. 

I think that this article was one of the top news stories because it was a breakthrough in the scientific discovery of DNA. Without this discovery, people wouldn't be able to use DNA in testimonies and other science experiments. This opened new windows and advanced the science behind DNA and what it is capable of.