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.