168
Ancient
Battle of Pydna
Roman forces under Lucius Aemilius Paullus defeated the Macedonian army at Pydna, ending the Third Macedonian War. The victory effectively ended Macedonian independence.
On This Day in History
1633
Science
Galileo Forced to Recant
Galileo Galilei was forced by the Roman Inquisition to recant his support for the heliocentric model. Legend says he muttered 'And yet it moves' after recanting.
1870
Politics
Department of Justice Created
Congress created the United States Department of Justice, headed by the Attorney General. The department was established to handle legal business of the federal government.
1941
War & Conflict
Operation Barbarossa: Germany Invades Soviet Union
Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, the largest military operation in history, invading the Soviet Union with over 3 million troops. The invasion ultimately proved to be Hitler's greatest strategic blunder.
1944
Politics
GI Bill Signed into Law
President Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, commonly known as the GI Bill. The law provided education and housing benefits to returning WWII veterans, transforming American society.
2009
Disaster
Washington Metro Train Collision
Two Washington Metro trains collided near the Fort Totten station, killing nine people. The accident was caused by a failure in the train's automatic control system.
2015
Civil Rights
Confederate Flag Controversy After Charleston Shooting
Following the mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, calls intensified to remove Confederate flags from government buildings. The flag was removed from the SC statehouse weeks later.