1920
Politics
19th Amendment Ratified
The Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, guaranteeing women's right to vote. The amendment came after decades of suffragist activism and doubled the eligible electorate.
On This Day in History
1587
Exploration
Virginia Dare Born
Virginia Dare became the first English child born in the Americas, at the Roanoke Colony in present-day North Carolina. The colony later vanished without a trace, becoming the famous 'Lost Colony.'
1227
War & Conflict
Genghis Khan Dies
The founder of the Mongol Empire died during a campaign against the Western Xia kingdom. Genghis Khan had conquered the largest contiguous land empire in history, stretching from China to Eastern Europe.
1868
Science
Helium Discovered
French astronomer Pierre Janssen observed a yellow spectral line during a solar eclipse in India, discovering helium. It was the first element found in space before being identified on Earth.
1590
Exploration
John White Returns to Roanoke
Governor John White returned to the Roanoke Colony after a three-year absence to find it completely abandoned. The only clue was the word 'CROATOAN' carved into a post, spawning centuries of mystery.
1958
Culture
Lolita Published in America
Vladimir Nabokov's controversial novel Lolita was published in the United States after being banned in several countries. Despite initial outrage, it was recognized as a masterpiece of 20th-century literature.
2017
Disaster
Barcelona Terror Attack
A van drove into pedestrians on La Rambla in Barcelona, Spain, killing 16 people and injuring over 130. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on one of Europe's most famous streets.