1199
Politics
John Becomes King of England
John was crowned King of England following the death of his brother Richard the Lionheart. His reign would see the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.
On This Day in History
1703
Politics
St. Petersburg Founded by Peter the Great
Tsar Peter the Great founded the city of St. Petersburg on the banks of the Neva River. He made it the capital of Russia, creating a 'window to the West.'
1905
War & Conflict
Battle of Tsushima
The Japanese navy destroyed the Russian Baltic Fleet at the Battle of Tsushima during the Russo-Japanese War. The decisive victory established Japan as a major naval power.
1937
Invention
Golden Gate Bridge Opens
The Golden Gate Bridge opened to pedestrians in San Francisco. An estimated 200,000 people walked across the bridge on its opening day.
1941
War & Conflict
Bismarck Sunk by Royal Navy
The Royal Navy sank the German battleship Bismarck in the North Atlantic after a dramatic chase. Over 2,000 German sailors were killed in the sinking.
1942
War & Conflict
Reinhard Heydrich Assassinated
Czech resistance fighters attacked and fatally wounded Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi official known as the 'Butcher of Prague,' in a daring ambush. His death led to brutal Nazi reprisals.
1977
Culture
Star Wars Premieres
George Lucas's Star Wars premiered in theaters, becoming a cultural phenomenon. The film revolutionized filmmaking with its special effects and became one of the highest-grossing films ever.