1527
War & Conflict
Sack of Rome by Charles V's Troops
Troops of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V sacked Rome, imprisoning Pope Clement VII. The devastating attack marked the effective end of the Italian Renaissance in Rome.
On This Day in History
1835
Culture
James Gordon Bennett Founds New York Herald
James Gordon Bennett founded the New York Herald, one of the first mass-circulation newspapers. The paper pioneered aggressive news reporting and foreign correspondence.
1889
Invention
Eiffel Tower Opens to the Public
The Eiffel Tower was opened to the public during the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Nearly two million visitors ascended the tower in its first year.
1937
Disaster
Hindenburg Disaster
The German airship Hindenburg burst into flames while landing at Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 people. Herbert Morrison's live radio broadcast of the disaster became one of the most famous recordings.
1954
Sports
Roger Bannister Breaks Four-Minute Mile
British athlete Roger Bannister ran a mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds at Oxford, becoming the first person to break the four-minute barrier. The feat had been considered impossible.
1994
Invention
Channel Tunnel Opens
Queen Elizabeth II and French President Mitterrand officially opened the Channel Tunnel connecting England and France beneath the English Channel. The 31-mile tunnel was a triumph of engineering.
2019
Science
UN Report Warns of Mass Extinction
A United Nations report warned that up to one million plant and animal species face extinction due to human activity. The alarming findings highlighted the global biodiversity crisis.