Today:
1014 – King Brian Boru of Ireland was killed at the Battle of Clontarf, which ended Viking power in Ireland.
1348 – King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter, England’s highest order of chivalry.
1564 – William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England (and also died on the same date in 1616).
1616 – Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes died in Madrid, author of “Don Quixote.”
1616 – William Shakespeare died in Stratford-upon-Avon.
1920 – The Grand National Assembly of Turkey was founded in Ankara, marking the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence.
1968 – The United Kingdom launched its first decimal coins: the 5p and 10p pieces.
1985 – Coca-Cola announced it was changing its secret formula, introducing “New Coke.”
2005 – The first video was uploaded to YouTube, titled “Me at the zoo.”
2013 – The French National Assembly passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in France.