On This Day
2003 - Shenzhou 5
China launches Shenzhou 5, its first crewed space mission.
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On This Day
On This Day
1990 - Mikhail Gorbachev
Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to lessen Cold War tensions and open up his nation.
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1582 - Adoption of the Gregorian calendar
Adoption of the Gregorian calendar begins, eventually leading to near-universal adoption.
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1962 - Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis begins when an American reconnaissance aircraft takes photographs of Soviet ballistic missiles being installed in Cuba.
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1956 - B. R. Ambedkar
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, leader of India's Untouchable caste, converts to Buddhism along with 385,000 of his followers (see Neo-Buddhism).
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1066 - Battle of Hastings
The Norman conquest of England begins with the Battle of Hastings.
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2010 - 2010 Copiapó mining accident
The mining accident in Copiapó, Chile ends as all 33 trapped miners arrive at the surface after a record 69 days underground.
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1917 - Miracle of the Sun
The "Miracle of the Sun" is witnessed by an estimated 70,000 people in the Cova da Iria in Portugal.
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1792 - White House
In Washington, D.C., the cornerstone of the United States Executive Mansion (known as the White House since 1818) is laid.
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1964 - Voskhod 1
The Soviet Union launches the Voskhod 1 into Earth orbit as the first spacecraft with a multi-person crew, and the first flight without pressure suits.
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1654 - Delft
The Delft Explosion devastates the city in the Netherlands, killing more than 100 people.
On This Day
1492 - Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus's first expedition makes landfall on San Salvador Island in the Caribbean. (Julian calendar)