Today:
1461 – During the Wars of the Roses, the Battle of Towton took place in England. It was the largest and bloodiest battle of the conflict, resulting in a decisive victory for the Yorkists.
1549 – The city of Salvador da Bahia, the first capital of colonial Brazil, was founded.
1849 – The United Kingdom formally annexed the Punjab region of India after defeating the Sikh Empire in the Second Anglo-Sikh War.
1867 – The British North America Act received Royal Assent, paving the way for the creation of the Dominion of Canada.
1871 – The Royal Albert Hall was officially opened by Queen Victoria in London.
1942 – During World War II, British naval forces launched the St. Nazaire Raid, a successful attack on German naval facilities in occupied France.
1945 – The United States Army’s 10th Armored Division and 3rd Infantry Division captured the German city of Würzburg during World War II.
1974 – The Terracotta Army was discovered in Xi’an, China, by local farmers digging a well.
2004 – Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined NATO.
2017 – The United Kingdom officially triggered Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, beginning the formal process of Brexit.