193
Ancient
Pertinax Assassinated by Praetorian Guard
Roman Emperor Pertinax was murdered by the Praetorian Guard after a reign of only 87 days. The guards then auctioned the empire to the highest bidder.
On This Day in History
1774
Politics
British Parliament Passes Coercive Acts
Parliament passed the first of the Coercive Acts (called Intolerable Acts by colonists) to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. These acts pushed the colonies toward revolution.
1854
War & Conflict
Britain and France Declare War on Russia
Britain and France declared war on Russia, beginning the Crimean War. The conflict would introduce modern warfare technologies and see the famous Charge of the Light Brigade.
1898
Civil Rights
United States v. Wong Kim Ark
The Supreme Court ruled that anyone born in the United States, regardless of parents' nationality, was an American citizen. This landmark decision established the principle of birthright citizenship.
1930
Politics
Constantinople Renamed Istanbul
Turkey officially renamed the city of Constantinople as Istanbul. The city had been the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires for over 1,500 years.
1941
Culture
Virginia Woolf Dies
British novelist Virginia Woolf died by suicide at age 59, drowning herself in the River Ouse. She left behind some of the most innovative works of modernist fiction.
1979
Disaster
Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident
A partial meltdown occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. Though no one was killed, the accident raised serious concerns about nuclear power safety.