Today:
1014 – Battle of Kleidion: Basil II of the Byzantine Empire decisively defeated the forces of Samuel of Bulgaria, paving the way for the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire.
1567 – James VI and I was crowned King of Scotland at just 13 months old after the forced abdication of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots.
1836 – The Arc de Triomphe Inauguration took place in Paris, nearly 30 years after construction began under Napoleon Bonaparte.
1890 – Vincent van Gogh died two days after shooting himself, ending the life of one of history’s most influential painters.
1921 – Adolf Hitler became leader of the Nazi Party, assuming the title of chairman with dictatorial powers.
1948 – The 1948 Summer Olympics opened in London, the first Olympic Games held after World War II.
1958 – NASA was established when U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law.
1981 – Prince Charles married Princess Diana in a globally televised ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
2005 – Discovery of Eris was announced by astronomers, leading to the eventual reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet.
2015 – NASA Water on Mars Announcement: Scientists reported strong evidence that ancient Mars once had extensive flowing water, adding to growing evidence that the planet may once have been habitable.