624
Religion
Battle of Badr
Prophet Muhammad and his followers won a decisive victory over the Quraysh at the Battle of Badr. This early Islamic battle is considered one of the most significant events in Muslim history.
On This Day in History
1639
Culture
Harvard College Named After John Harvard
The Massachusetts Bay Colony's new college was renamed Harvard College in honor of its first benefactor, John Harvard. It is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
1781
Science
William Herschel Discovers Uranus
British astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus using a homemade telescope. It was the first planet discovered in modern times and doubled the known size of the solar system.
1865
War & Conflict
Confederate States Approve Enlisting Black Soldiers
The Confederate Congress authorized the enlistment of enslaved men as soldiers, a desperate measure as the Confederacy neared defeat. The move came far too late to affect the war's outcome.
1881
Politics
Tsar Alexander II Assassinated
Tsar Alexander II of Russia was killed by a bomb thrown by a member of the revolutionary group People's Will. The reformist tsar's assassination led to a period of repression under his successor.
1930
Space
Pluto Officially Named
The newly discovered celestial body beyond Neptune was officially named Pluto, as suggested by 11-year-old Venetia Burney of Oxford, England.
1997
Science
Phoenix Lights Incident
Thousands of people in Arizona reported seeing a V-shaped formation of lights in the night sky over Phoenix. The mass sighting remains one of the most widely witnessed UFO events.