1513
Exploration
Balboa Reaches Pacific Ocean
Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas. He claimed the ocean and all lands touching it for Spain.
On This Day in History
1957
Politics
Little Rock Desegregation
President Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock, Arkansas, to enforce school desegregation. Federal troops escorted nine Black students into Central High School, a pivotal civil rights moment.
1789
Politics
Bill of Rights Proposed
The First Congress of the United States proposed twelve amendments to the Constitution, ten of which would be ratified as the Bill of Rights. These amendments guaranteed fundamental individual liberties.
1555
Religion
Peace of Augsburg
The Peace of Augsburg allowed German princes to choose Lutheranism or Catholicism for their territories. The settlement temporarily ended religious warfare in the Holy Roman Empire.
1906
Culture
Leonardo da Vinci's Lost Painting Found
A version of Leonardo da Vinci's painting 'Madonna of the Yarnwinder' was confirmed as genuine. The discovery added to the tiny body of known works by the Renaissance master.
1943
War & Conflict
Soviets Recapture Smolensk
Soviet forces liberated Smolensk from German occupation during the massive Eastern Front offensives. The city had been under Nazi control for over two years.
1992
Science
Mars Observer Launched
NASA launched the Mars Observer spacecraft to study Mars's surface and atmosphere. Though the mission was lost just before reaching Mars, it paved the way for future Mars exploration.