1494
Exploration
Treaty of Tordesillas Signed
Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, dividing the newly discovered lands of the world between them. The treaty drew a line through the Atlantic, giving Brazil to Portugal.
On This Day in History
1628
Politics
Petition of Right Presented to Charles I
The English Parliament presented the Petition of Right to King Charles I, asserting civil liberties including prohibiting taxation without Parliament's consent. It became a foundational document of constitutional law.
1776
Politics
Richard Henry Lee Proposes Independence
Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution in the Continental Congress calling for American independence from Britain. The resolution led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
1893
Civil Rights
Gandhi's First Act of Civil Disobedience
Mohandas Gandhi was thrown off a first-class train car in South Africa because of his skin color. The incident transformed him into an activist and shaped his philosophy of nonviolent resistance.
1942
War & Conflict
Battle of Midway Ends
The Battle of Midway concluded with a decisive American victory. Japan lost four aircraft carriers, shifting the balance of naval power in the Pacific.
1965
Civil Rights
Griswold v. Connecticut
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut law prohibiting the use of contraceptives, establishing a constitutional right to privacy. The landmark case influenced future privacy decisions.
2017
Politics
UK General Election Produces Hung Parliament
British Prime Minister Theresa May lost her parliamentary majority in a snap general election. The hung parliament weakened her position in Brexit negotiations.