Today:
1498 – Christopher Columbus became the first known European to reach the island of Trinidad during his third voyage to the Americas.
1703 – Daniel Defoe was placed in the pillory in London for publishing the satirical pamphlet “The Shortest Way with the Dissenters.” Instead of jeering him, many in the crowd showed support.
1790 – The first U.S. patent was issued to Samuel Hopkins for an improved process of making potash, used in fertilizer and soap production.
1913 – The Balkan Wars officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Bucharest (1913), redrawing the political map of southeastern Europe.
1941 – Hermann Göring issued written instructions to Reinhard Heydrich to prepare plans for what became known as the “Final Solution” during World War II.
1964 – Ranger 7 transmitted the first close-up photographs of the Moon before impacting its surface, providing thousands of detailed images for future lunar missions.
1971 – Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin became the first humans to drive the Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Moon.
1991 – Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) was signed by George H. W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev, significantly reducing U.S. and Soviet nuclear arsenals.
2007 – I-35W Mississippi River Bridge Collapse occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing 13 people and injuring 145.
2012 – 2012 Summer Olympics: Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history, surpassing Larisa Latynina with his 19th Olympic medal.