1527
Culture
Niccolo Machiavelli Dies
Niccolo Machiavelli died in Florence at age 58. His works, especially 'The Prince,' remain essential reading in political science and philosophy.
On This Day in History
1788
Politics
New Hampshire Ratifies Constitution, Making It Law
New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, providing the two-thirds majority needed for it to take effect. The Constitution became the supreme law of the land.
1834
Invention
Cyrus McCormick Patents the Reaper
Cyrus McCormick received a patent for his mechanical reaper, which revolutionized grain harvesting. The invention transformed American agriculture and helped feed a growing nation.
1898
War & Conflict
U.S. Captures Guam
American forces captured Guam from Spain during the Spanish-American War. The island has remained a U.S. territory ever since.
1945
War & Conflict
Battle of Okinawa Ends
The Battle of Okinawa, one of the bloodiest battles of World War II, ended after 82 days of fighting. The estimated 200,000 casualties influenced the decision to use atomic weapons.
2004
Space
SpaceShipOne Reaches Space
SpaceShipOne became the first privately funded spacecraft to reach space, piloted by Mike Melvill. The achievement won the Ansari X Prize and launched the commercial space tourism industry.
2006
Space
Pluto's Newly Discovered Moons Named
The International Astronomical Union named Pluto's two newly discovered moons Nix and Hydra. The dwarf planet would later be visited by the New Horizons spacecraft.