On This Day:

📜 1571 – The Battle of Lepanto saw the Holy League defeat the Ottoman navy, halting Ottoman expansion into the western Mediterranean. ⚔️🌊

🚂 1826 – The world's first modern railway passenger service began between Stockton and Darlington, revolutionizing transportation with George Stephenson’s Locomotion No. 1. 🚆🌍

⚽ 1886 – Spain's Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was founded, laying the foundation for football's rise in Spain and globally. 🏆🇪🇸

👷 1919 – The International Labour Organization (ILO) was established at the International Labour Conference in Amsterdam, setting the stage for workers' rights worldwide. ⚖️🌐

🚩 1949 – The German Democratic Republic (GDR) was formed, solidifying the division between East and West Germany during the Cold War. 🇩🇪🛑

📊 1952 – The barcode was patented, revolutionizing retail and supply chain management by streamlining product tracking. 🛒📈

🌕 1959 – Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 transmitted the first images of the moon’s far side, marking a milestone in the space race. 🚀🌑

🚢 1985 – The hijacking of the Achille Lauro by Palestinian militants resulted in the tragic murder of American Leon Klinghoffer, sparking global condemnation. 😔⚓

🎯 2001 – The U.S. and allies launched Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, marking the start of a decades-long military conflict post-9/11. 🎖️🇦🇫

💸 2008 – Lehman Brothers was delisted from the NYSE, its bankruptcy being a key moment in the global financial crisis. 📉💼