323
Ancient
Alexander the Great Dies
Alexander the Great died in Babylon at age 32, possibly from typhoid fever. His empire, stretching from Greece to India, was divided among his generals.
On This Day in History
1610
Exploration
First Dutch Settlers Arrive in Manhattan
Dutch merchants arrived at what would become Manhattan, establishing trade with Native Americans. This laid the groundwork for the colony of New Netherland.
1752
Science
Benjamin Franklin's Kite Experiment
Benjamin Franklin reportedly flew a kite in a thunderstorm, demonstrating the electrical nature of lightning. The experiment led to his invention of the lightning rod.
1940
War & Conflict
Italy Enters World War II
Italy declared war on France and Britain, entering World War II on the side of Nazi Germany. Mussolini hoped to capitalize on France's imminent defeat.
1942
War & Conflict
Lidice Massacre
Nazi forces destroyed the Czech village of Lidice in reprisal for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. All men were shot, women sent to concentration camps, and children dispersed.
1963
Civil Rights
Equal Pay Act Signed
President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, prohibiting wage discrimination based on sex. The law was one of the first federal efforts to address gender inequality in the workplace.
1967
War & Conflict
Six-Day War Ends
The Six-Day War ended with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire. Israel had tripled the territory under its control and fundamentally reshaped the Middle East.