Today:
361: Emperor Constantius II dies of a fever, declaring his cousin Julian his rightful successor on his deathbed.
1493: Christopher Columbus first sights the island of Dominica during his second voyage to the New World.
1534: The English Parliament passes the first Act of Supremacy, declaring King Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
1783: The American Continental Army is officially disbanded by a proclamation from the U.S. Congress.
1838: The Times of India is founded as The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce.
1903: Panama declares its independence from Colombia, with encouragement from the United States.
1911: The Chevrolet Motor Company is co-founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant.
1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2, carrying a dog named Laika, who became the first living animal to orbit the Earth.
1978: The Caribbean island nation of Dominica gains its independence from the United Kingdom.
2014: One World Trade Center, the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex, officially opens in New York City.