OTD:

In 1547, the Battle of Pinkie in Scotland, part of the War of the Rough Wooing, ended in a decisive English victory, being the last pitched battle between England and Scotland.

In 1813, the U.S. Navy, led by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, won the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, securing control of the lake and boosting American morale.

In 1898, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as "Sisi," was assassinated by Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni in Geneva, shocking Europe due to her popularity and tragic life.

In 1919, the Treaty of Saint-Germain was signed, dissolving the Austro-Hungarian Empire and creating new nations, while forbidding Austria's unification with Germany.

In 1943, the Allies launched Operation Avalanche, invading mainland Italy during World War II, which marked a key step in the eventual defeat of the Axis powers in Europe.

In 1946, the first session of the United Nations Security Council was held in Washington, D.C., beginning the UN's role in maintaining global peace and security.

In 1967, Gibraltar held a referendum where over 99% of the population voted to remain under British sovereignty, rejecting Spain's claims to the territory.

In 1977, France used the guillotine for the last time to execute Hamida Djandoubi, marking the end of capital punishment in the country before its abolition in 1981.

In 2002, Switzerland officially joined the United Nations, reflecting its evolving role in international diplomacy while maintaining its neutral stance.

In 2008, the Large Hadron Collider at CERN was powered up for the first time, eventually leading to the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, a major breakthrough in physics.

OTD:

In 1513, Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the New World, opening new opportunities for exploration and trade.

In 1543, Portuguese traders introduced firearms to Japan in Kyoto, transforming Japanese warfare and contributing to the unification of the country under the Tokugawa shogunate.

In 1850, California was admitted as the 31st U.S. state as part of the Compromise of 1850, intensifying the national conflict over slavery that led to the American Civil War.

In 1944, Nazi Germany launched its first V-2 rocket attack on London during World War II, causing significant destruction and marking the first use of long-range guided ballistic missiles.

In 1960, Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila won the Olympic marathon in Rome while running barefoot, becoming the first African athlete to win a gold medal and inspiring future generations.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, mandating safety standards like seat belts and airbags to reduce traffic fatalities.

In 1991, Tajikistan declared independence from the Soviet Union, facing political and economic challenges, including a civil war, as it transitioned to a sovereign nation.

In 1999, the Sega Dreamcast was released in North America, praised for its advanced graphics and online capabilities, marking a milestone in video game history.

In 2015, the Cayan Tower, the world's tallest twisted tower, officially opened in Dubai, showcasing innovative architectural design and symbolizing the city's rapid development.

OTD:

In 1565, Spanish Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the U.S., marking the start of Spanish colonization in the region.

In 1892, the Pledge of Allegiance was first recited in U.S. public schools during celebrations for the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival, written by Francis Bellamy to promote national unity.

In 1900, the Galveston Hurricane struck Texas, becoming the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, killing thousands and leading to changes in building codes and hurricane preparedness.

In 1930, the first International Esperanto Congress was held in Barcelona, promoting Esperanto as a tool for global communication and understanding.

In 1941, the Siege of Leningrad began during World War II, lasting 872 days and causing over a million civilian deaths, symbolizing Soviet resilience against Nazi aggression.

In 1943, Italy surrendered to the Allies during World War II, leading to the collapse of the Fascist regime and shifting Italy from the Axis to the Allied powers.

In 1966, the first episode of Star Trek aired, introducing a vision of a united humanity exploring the galaxy, which later became a cult phenomenon with lasting cultural influence.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon for any crimes related to the Watergate scandal, a move that sparked significant controversy and backlash.

In 1986, Turkey opened the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, connecting Europe and Asia, symbolizing modernization and Turkey's strategic importance.

In 2016, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and drawing international condemnation.