OTD:

In 30 BC, Cleopatra VII, the last ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt, reportedly committed suicide, marking the end of her reign and the beginning of Roman rule in Egypt.

In 1676, King Philip's War ended with the death of Metacomet, leading to the collapse of the Native American resistance against European settlers in New England.

In 1851, Isaac Singer was granted a patent for his improved sewing machine, revolutionizing home use and contributing to industrialization.

In 1939, "The Wizard of Oz" premiered in Hollywood, becoming an iconic film known for its Technicolor, music, and enduring story.

In 1944, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was killed during World War II in a secret bombing mission when his plane exploded prematurely.

In 1960, NASA launched Echo 1A, the first successful communications satellite, pioneering satellite communication technology.

In 1964, South Africa was banned from the Olympic Games due to its apartheid policies, remaining excluded until apartheid laws began to be dismantled in 1992.

In 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer, the IBM 5150, which launched the personal computer revolution.

In 1990, the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, "Sue," was discovered, providing significant insights into dinosaur biology.

In 2000, the Russian submarine Kursk sank in the Barents Sea, killing all 118 crew members and exposing issues within the Russian Navy.

OTD:

In 480 BC, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans made a legendary stand against a vastly larger Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae.

In 1492, Rodrigo de Borja became Pope Alexander VI, whose papacy was marked by corruption, nepotism, and scandal.

In 1858, Queen Victoria sent the first transatlantic telegraph message to President James Buchanan, revolutionizing global communication.

In 1929, Babe Ruth became the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs, solidifying his status as a baseball legend.

In 1960, Chad gained independence from France, marking the beginning of self-governance amid political instability.

In 1965, the Watts Riots erupted in Los Angeles, exposing deep racial tensions and resulting in significant casualties and damage.

In 1994, the longest MLB strike began, leading to the cancellation of the season and World Series, causing widespread disappointment.

In 1999, a widely observed total solar eclipse captivated millions across Europe, the Middle East, and India.

In 2003, NATO took command of ISAF in Afghanistan, marking its first major mission outside Europe to stabilize the nation post-Taliban.

In 2014, actor Robin Williams tragically took his own life, prompting global discussions on mental health and depression.

OTD:

In 1628, the Swedish warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm harbor due to its unstable design, remaining underwater for over 300 years before being salvaged and turned into a museum ship.

In 1792, the storming of the Tuileries Palace in Paris marked a radical turn in the French Revolution, leading to the arrest of King Louis XVI and the fall of the monarchy, paving the way for the First French Republic.

In 1846, the Smithsonian Institution was established in Washington, D.C., with funds from British scientist James Smithson, becoming one of the world's leading research and educational facilities.

In 1920, the Treaty of Sèvres was signed, partitioning the Ottoman Empire after World War I and fueling nationalist movements that led to the Turkish War of Independence.

In 1944, American forces liberated Guam from Japanese occupation during World War II, securing a strategic base for the Pacific campaign.

In 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were released from a 21-day quarantine after their historic moon landing, marking the end of the Apollo 11 mission.

In 1977, David Berkowitz, the "Son of Sam," was arrested in New York City, ending a notorious crime spree that had terrorized the city for over a year.

In 1981, IBM and Microsoft announced the severance of their partnership, allowing Microsoft to develop its own operating system, leading to the creation of MS-DOS and later Windows.

In 1988, Canada passed the Civil Liberties Act, formally apologizing to Japanese Canadians for their internment during World War II and providing compensation to survivors.

In 2015, Google announced a major restructuring, creating a new parent company called Alphabet Inc. to separate its core businesses from its experimental ventures.