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.