30 Major Events You Missed Due to Bigger Headlines

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at the most noteworthy historical moments that were overshadowed by even larger ones.

O.J. Simpson Granted Parole

Overshadowed by: The Death of Chester Bennington

Considering how widespread both his infamous trial was in the 1990s, its hard to imagine any news about him taking a backseat. After serving what was initially a 33 year prison sentence, it was announced on July 20th, 2017 that O.J. Simpson was granted parole. An update that large wouldve normally dominated the airwaves but the sudden, unexpected death of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington the same day ultimately took the spotlight. Besides countless fans and media outlets posting about it, several prominent celebrities also posted tributes to Bennington. With that, a decision that wouldve once been the cause of national conversation was reduced to a mere blip.

Discovery of Psusennes Is Tomb

Overshadowed by: Germany Invading France

Archaeological discoveries especially that of royals normally pique global interest. Finding Pharaoh Psusennes Is tomb completely untouched was a true marvel, as it was the rare Egyptian tomb that hadnt been ransacked by grave robbers. His sarcophagus was even shown to King Farouk on April 17, 1940. The study of both his body and the items buried with him couldve held peoples attention indefinitely. Unfortunately, a few weeks later, all news surrounding the discovery effectively evaporated following Germanys invasion of France. The heated battle was a pivotal moment in what became World War II, and as such it rightfully became the topic of global conversation. The tomb was pushed to the back burner, where it stayed for nearly 80 years before finally being recognized.

The Death of John Adams

Overshadowed by: The Death of Thomas Jefferson

They may have passed on the same day, but it doesnt mean they were reported on similarly. While both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were integral parts of the birth of the United States and both served as President, the death of the latter created a far larger ripple. Jeffersons involvement in writing the Declaration of Independence had cemented him as an American hero. Meanwhile, Adamss controversial term had damaged his legacy by the time he left the White House. When they both left the mortal coil just hours apart on July 4th, 1826, it was Jeffersons name that was plastered on newspapers and memorials across the country. Adams was mourned as well, but it was on a much smaller scale.

Servant Girl Annihilator's Killing Spree

Jack the Rippers Killing Spree

Their crimes were both horrifically violent, but only one went on to become a cultural phenomenon. Years before Jack the Ripper first struck, a city in Texas fell victim to one of the countrys first serial killers. Known as the Servant Girl Annihilator, he reportedly slaughtered eight people in the mid-1880s. He was never identified or brought to justice, and was quickly forgotten once the infamous Whitechapel murders began in London. Jack the Rippers instantly recognizable nickname and the sensationalization of his crimes by the media ensured that his notoriety eclipsed that of his American predecessor - even today. The constant usage of his likeness in fiction, historical works, and even restaurant names has cemented his legacy whereas the Annihilator and his victims have essentially been lost to time.

The Death of C.S. Lewis

Overshadowed by: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Normally, the demise of two respected authors on the same day would be a national story. However, an even more tragic event made certain that it would go forgotten instead. C.S. Lewis was an iconic writer, with his series The Chronicles of Narnia in particular inspiring several other prolific works. Despite his importance in the literary world, the November 22, 1963 passing of both him and Aldous Huxley was hardly talked about and for valid, yet horrific reasons. That same day, President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated during a motorcade. The shocking event easily became the top headline across the country ultimately at the expense of both authors death announcements.

Santa Fe High School Shooting

Overshadowed by: Prince Harry & Meghan Markles Wedding

On May 18th, 2018, the city of Santa Fe was rocked when a high school student opened fire on his peers and teachers. Ten people lost their lives, and over a dozen more were injured but they didnt hold the publics awareness for long. The next day, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrated their marriage, an event that was covered around the world. The televised ceremony was watched globally, with nearly 30 million viewers reportedly being American. Additionally, 15 channels broadcasted the union, making it practically impossible to avoid. It didnt help that several Santa Fe citizens avoided attention from the media following the attack, inadvertently causing it to fall to the wayside.

Sinking of the Sultana

Overshadowed by: The Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln

Normally, the death of one man wouldnt overshadow the passing of over a thousand others. When that man is President Abraham Lincoln, however, it suddenly becomes more understandable. The shocking assassination of the leader on April 14th, 1865 was a tragically prolific event that led to mourning on a national scale. The three weeks of funeral processes and following trials for those involved captivated the countrys attention and prevented them from noticing the worst maritime disaster in United States history. On April 27th of that year, the steamboat Sultana unexpectedly exploded, causing the death of some 1,800 people. Despite the sheer scale of the tragedy, it faded to the background as the nation mourned the loss of its leader.

Detection of the Wow! Signal

Overshadowed by: The Death of Elvis Presley

You know youre an icon when your demise makes the majority of people overlook potential proof of aliens. Elvis Presley was larger than life even in death. He passed away on August 16th, 1977, just hours after Jerry Ehman detected a mysterious sound from outer space. The intensity and duration of the Wow! signal has caused plenty of debate in modern times. However, after its discovery, it quickly fell to the wayside once it became known that the King of Rock and Roll had died. Fans and media outlets flocked to the story both to mourn him and speculate on the cause. It doesnt help that the signal was never heard again, causing it to quickly fade from the minds of the public.

The Bath School Disaster

Overshadowed by: Charles Lindberghs Trans-Atlantic Flight

When someone achieves something truly great, it makes sense to focus on it, although it can come at the cost of ignoring another event. That was the case for Charles Lindberghs May 20-21, 1927 flight across the Atlantic Ocean. The incredible feat easily dominated headlines, despite the fact that just a few days beforehand, dozens had lost their lives in the Bath School massacre. A man named Andrew Kehoe set off multiple explosions that killed 44 students and teachers. It was initially covered by journalists, but Lindberghs legendary accomplishment soon took precedence. As a result, the violent act faded to the background of history, where its remained to this day.

Kim Jong-un Declared Supreme Leader of North Korea

Overshadowed by: Katy Perrys Divorce

Celebrity culture has become a prevalent force around the world and this is one of the strongest examples. A nation declaring the appointment of a new leader would normally be cause for international headlines, especially one as polarizing as North Korea. Kim Jong-un being declared Supreme Leader on December 30th, 2011 shouldve garnered a global reaction. That same day, news leaked that pop star Katy Perry was getting a divorce from comedian Russell Brand. It didnt take long for that story to sweep across the nation, and it soon became the talk of the whole country. It was covered by entertainment and political outlets alike, effortlessly stealing Kims thunder.

Black Saturday BushFires

Overshadowed by: 2008 Financial Crisis

The Black Saturday Bushfires, which ravaged Australia between February 7th and March 14th 2009, are considered one of the worst natural disasters in the countrys history. During this period, a series of around 400 bushfires were ignited in Victoria, Australias most densely populated state. Despite its immense impact within Australia, the disaster received limited international media attention, largely because of the concurrent global financial crisis. The worldwide economic turmoil, which began unfolding in early 2007, peaked in late 2008 and early 2009, leaving very few reporters and resources available to cover other events. Consequently, the Black Saturday Bushfires, which claimed 173 lives and destroyed thousands of homes, remained largely underreported on the global stage.

The Great Halifax ExplosionOvershadowed by: U.S. Declaration of War on Austria-Hungary

On December 6th 1917, a French cargo ship carrying a vast amount of explosives collided with a Norwegian vessel at the Halifax harbor in Nova Scotia, Canada. The resulting blast devastated the city of Halifax, killing nearly 2,000 people and injuring thousands more. In any other period, this would have been the top news story, but it flew under the radar as it happened during a critical juncture of WWI. The day after the disaster, the U.S. Congress and Senate passed a resolution declaring war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on the same day. This shifted global attention away from the tragedy, despite the significant human toll and immense destruction it caused in Halifax.

Soviet Union Detains U.S. Convoy

Overshadowed by: The Day the Music Died

February 3rd 1959 is often remembered as the Day the Music Died, because of the plane crash that killed musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. The Big Bopper Richardson. This tragic event was widely reported, and has since been referenced in various songs and movies. Due to this immense coverage, it eclipsed another significant incident on the same day. In West Germany, amid Cold War tensions, five U.S. Army soldiers were detained by Soviet officers after they refused inspection of their trucks upon crossing from East Germany. This action, perceived by the U.S. as a provocation from the Soviet Union, likely would have been a major news story, if not for the attention drawn by the plane crash.

Frank Sinatras Death

Overshadowed by: The Seinfeld Finale

On the surface, Frank Sinatra and Seinfeld share no similarities. But in actuality, the two are linked in a rather heartbreaking way. On May 14th 1998, Seinfeld aired its highly anticipated series finale. However, while around 76 million people gathered around their TVs to watch the show bow out, Sinatra suffered a massive heart attack at his Los Angeles residence and was rushed to the hospital. According to the Fire Chief, Sinatras swift transportation was facilitated by the unusually empty streets, as millions were home tuning in to the finale. Even Sinatras daughter, Nancy, missed the chance to spend his final moments with him, as she too was engrossed in the show. Tragically, despite medical efforts, the iconic crooner passed away at the hospital.

2011 Norway Domestic Terror Attacks

Overshadowed by: The Death of Amy Winehouse

When two huge tragedies occur in a short time-frame, theres a chance that one may get more coverage than the other. If a celebrity is involved, those chances unfortunately increase. The attacks carried out by Anders Behring Breivik on July 22nd, 2011 led to the untimely and horrific deaths of dozens of people, many of which were children attending summer camp. It quickly became the center of global attention but only for a day. On the 23rd, news broke that beloved singer Amy Winehouse had unexpectedly passed away. The media quickly pivoted, and it wasnt long before the coverage of her fate surpassed those of the victims from the previous day.

The Peshtigo Fire

The Great Chicago Fire

The Peshtigo Fire of 1871, which ravaged northeastern Wisconsin and parts of Michigan, takes its name from the city of Peshtigo, which was most heavily affected. Despite being the deadliest wildfire in recorded history, consuming over a million acres and claiming up to 2,500 lives, its significance was overshadowed by a similar calamity that befell a larger city. On the same day, Chicago suffered a devastating conflagration, resulting in significant damage and approximately 300 deaths. Although both tragic events, one might assume that the Peshtigo Fire, with its vastly higher death toll, would have garnered more media attention. However, as Peshtigo was far less developed than Chicago, its tragedy has largely been extinguished from historical accounts and public memory.

The Death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

Overshadowed by: Tiananmen Square Massacre

On June 4th 1989, the Chinese government sent in troops who opened fire on thousands of peaceful protesters at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. While exact figures vary, some estimates suggest the death toll reached as high as 2,600. This excessively violent reaction to peaceful demonstrations captured the worlds attention and completely overshadowed other events that occurred around that period. Just the night before, Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the Islamic Revolution and shaped the countrys politics for years, passed away, but this went largely under the radar. Other events that were overshadowed by the massacre include the deadly Ufa train disaster in the Soviet Union, and Polands first partially free elections.

First Inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower

Overshadowed by: Lucy Ricardo & Lucille Ball Giving Birth

If youre watching this video, chances are you probably werent alive when the classic sitcom I Love Lucy aired back in the 1950s. To illustrate its immense popularity, the famous episode in which Lucy gives birth to Little Ricky was watched by around 44 million viewers, accounting for nearly 74% of all U.S. homes with TVs. This episode, titled Lucy Goes to the Hospital, aired on January 19th 1953, and was made to coincide with Lucille Balls actual delivery of her son, Desi Arnaz, Jr. The remarkable blend of television and reality totally upstaged the inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower for his first term, which took place the following day and attracted only 29 million viewers.

Attack on Clark Field

Overshadowed by: Attack on Pearl Harbor

December 7th 1941 will forever live on in infamy. That day, Japanese planes launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This assault claimed over 2,400 lives and left more than a thousand others injured, while also causing significant damage to military vessels and planes. The shock and devastation of Pearl Harbor was so overwhelming that many do not know that another attack occurred the following day at Clark Field, a U.S. military base in the Philippines. The casualties in this attack were comparatively lower, with 80 killed and 150 wounded, and it got buried under the unfolding chaos of Pearl Harbor. Surprisingly, no official investigation into the Clark Field attack was ever launched.

The Texas City Disaster

Overshadowed by: Jackie Robinsons Major League Debut

The Texas City disaster of April 16th, 1947 remains one of the deadliest industrial accidents in American history. A French-registered vessel called the SS Grandcamp, which was carrying over 2,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, detonated unexpectedly, killing at least 581 people and leaving more than 5,000 injured. Yet, the magnitude of this disaster was largely overshadowed and underreported due to the historic Major League Baseball debut of Jackie Robinson the day before. Robinsons breakthrough as the first African-American player in the modern major leagues dominated headlines and sparked widespread debates in the public. All of this fervor surrounding Robinson breaking the color barrier tragically relegated the Texas City disaster to the background.

The War on Waste

Overshadowed by: 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

On September 10, 2001, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld held a press conference, announcing that the US Defense Department had been unable to trace $2.3 trillion. Rumsfeld came down on Pentagon bureaucracy, stating that wasted funds could be a matter of life and death. But this crackdown on misspending was stopped dead in its tracks the very next day. Tragically, two hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11th while a third was flown into the Pentagon and a fourth crashed in a Pennsylvania field. Compared to the thousands of deaths on 9/11, the missing $2.3 trillion suddenly seemed like an inconsequential loss. The War on Waste ultimately took a backseat to the War on Terror, which cost an estimated $5 trillion.

The Death of Groucho Marx

Overshadowed by: The Death of Elvis Presley

The world lost a comedic legend on August 19, 1977 when Groucho Marx died at age 86. As had happened with the Wow signal, Grouchos death was somewhat overlooked due to Elvis Presley dying from a heart attack three days earlier. Elvis was only 42 years old and arguably the biggest solo musical artist in the world and his death triggered a massive outpouring of emotion from fans worldwide. While Elvis had never really left the limelight, Marx had become an elder statesman of comedy and vaudeville, and as such hadnt really been in the spotlight for nearly a decade. While both men left behind rich legacies, media attention tended to latch onto the younger, charismatic and revolutionary figure that was Elvis Presley.

Beirut Terror Attacks

Overshadowed by: Paris Terror Attacks

When ISIS bombed a local refugee camp on November 12, 2015, Beirut, Lebanon suffered its most severe terrorist attack since the Lebanese Civil War. With 43 total casualties, this tragedy likely wouldve been all over the news and social media if it werent for another act of terror committed one day later. On November 13, ISIS bombed Saint-Denis, a northern suburb in Paris, France, leaving 130 people dead and hundreds more injured. Given the higher death toll, the Paris attacks caused many people to forget about the Beirut attacks. Nevertheless, theres no denying these were two incredibly dark days for humanity that mustnt be ignored.

The Rwandan Genocide

Overshadowed by: The Death of Kurt Cobain

In 1994, Rwanda experienced one of the most horrific atrocities of the 20th century. The Rwandan genocide saw the mass killings of hundreds of thousands of Tutsi ethnic minority members and moderate Hutus by armed Hutu militias. Despite its rapid and brutal spread throughout the country, the genocide received scant attention in the United States. It commenced on April 7th 1994, the day before singer Kurt Cobain was found dead at his home, having taken his own life. Media coverage was largely dominated by Cobains death, eclipsing the ongoing tragedy in Rwanda. As the genocide unfolded over a span of three months, it remained overshadowed in international media by Nelson Mandelas election and later, the O.J. Simpson murder case.

Harriet Quimbys Flight

Overshadowed by: The Sinking of The Titanic

In addition to being the first woman in the United States to attain a pilots license, Harriet Quimby was also the first female aviator to fly across the English Channel. Taking off in Dover, England on April 16, 1912, she reached her destination in 59 minutes, landing on a beach in northern France. But where Quimby successfully completed her voyage, the same couldnt be said about the RMS Titanic. After hitting an iceberg, this passenger liner sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, claiming over 1,500 lives. Overshadowed by this disaster, Quimby never got her moment in the sun and died in an aviation accident a couple of months later, leaving many to consider her an unsung hero.

The Death of Mother Teresa

Overshadowed by: The Death of Princess Diana

Mother Teresa and Diana, Princess of Wales had a great deal in common. Both were known for their charity work, helping to raise awareness of leprosy and HIV/AIDS. Princess Diana notably visited Mother Teresa at a New York convent in June of 1997. On August 31, just a couple of months after their meeting, the 36-year-old Lady Di died following a car crash in Paris. Less than a week after her untimely death, Teresa passed away due to heart failure on September 5. But with the public already coping with the sudden loss of Diana, Teresas death didnt receive nearly as much media attention. Nonetheless, these two women are still remembered for their dedication and compassion, ultimately making the world a better place.

Man Rowing Across an Ocean

Overshadowed by: Man Walking on the Moon

John Fairfax became the first man to row solo across an entire ocean, with the journey taking 180 days. Starting his adventure at the Canary Islands, Fairfax crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Florida on July 19, 1969. Unfortunately, this just so happened to be the day before Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land on the moon. Armstrongs one small step for man might have eclipsed John Fairfaxs crossing, but his incredible feat didnt go completely unrecognized. The Apollo 11 crew themselves sent Fairfax a congratulatory message, stating, As fellow explorers, we salute you on this great occasion but few others took notice.

The Death of Farah Fawcett

Overshadowed by: The Death of Michael Jackson

Following a battle with cancer, Farrah Fawcett died on June 25, 2009. Although Fawcetts deteriorating health was among the most widely discussed topics in the news, she ultimately had to share the spotlight with Michael Jackson, who was pronounced dead the same day. While Fawcett was still heavily mourned, the King of Pops passing dominated popular culture: MJs death was front-page news, but Fawcetts was relegated to back pages and entertainment sections. Worse still was the Oscars In Memoriam segment the following year, which featured Jackson but saw Fawcett controversially excluded.

The 1994 NBA Finals

Overshadowed by: O.J. Simpsons Car Chase

The idea of a major league final getting overshadowed might seem unthinkable, but thats exactly what happened during the telecast of the 1994 NBA Finals. On June 13, 1994, O.J. Simpsons ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and friend Ron Goldman were discovered murdered in Los Angeles, and O.J. quickly became the prime suspect. Simpson was to turn himself into police custody on Friday, June 17, but instead fled in his white Ford Bronco, triggering the now infamous low-speed chase. With CNN, ABC, and CBS covering the live events, NBC followed suit interrupting Game Five between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks. While the game was still aired via split screen, the Juice breaking loose was clearly the bigger story.

The Capture of Rome

Overshadowed by: Operation Overlord

Even if you never paid attention in history class, youre familiar with Operation Overlord, aka D-Day. Taking place on June 6, 1944, this operation commenced the Invasion of Normandy, with Allied forces storming French shores. D-Day, however, occurred only a couple of days after American troops seized Rome on June 4. Unlike the Normandy Invasion, however, this mission wasnt entirely successful in the long run, as it resulted in German forces escaping due to a miscalculation that later resulted in Allied casualties. The Normandy landings, meanwhile, remain the largest beach invasion ever, with that day proving to be a major turning point in the course of the Second World War.

Which of the stories do you think deserved a bigger spotlight? Let us know in the comments below!