467
Ancient
Anthemius Becomes Western Roman Emperor
Anthemius was proclaimed Western Roman Emperor with the support of the Eastern Emperor Leo I. His reign represented one of the last attempts to restore Western Roman power.
On This Day in History
1606
Politics
Union Jack Adopted as Flag of Great Britain
King James I adopted the first version of the Union Jack as the flag of Great Britain, combining the English St. George's Cross with the Scottish St. Andrew's Cross.
1861
War & Conflict
Civil War Begins at Fort Sumter
Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The bombardment marked the beginning of the American Civil War, which would last four years.
1945
Politics
President Franklin D. Roosevelt Dies
President Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage at Warm Springs, Georgia, at age 63. Vice President Harry Truman was sworn in as the 33rd President.
1961
Space
Yuri Gagarin Becomes First Human in Space
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space, orbiting the Earth once aboard Vostok 1. The flight lasted 108 minutes and made Gagarin a global hero.
1981
Space
First Space Shuttle Launch
The Space Shuttle Columbia launched from Kennedy Space Center on mission STS-1 with astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen. It was the first orbital test flight of the shuttle program.
1992
Culture
Euro Disney Opens Near Paris
Euro Disney, later renamed Disneyland Paris, opened to the public in Marne-la-Vallee, France. It became the most visited theme park in Europe.