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1983

The U

The U.S. Department of Energy declassifies documents showing world's largest mercury pollution event in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (ultimately found to be 4.2 million pounds [1.9 kt]), in response to the Ap�

2012

Tokyo Skytree opens to the public

Tokyo Skytree opens to the public. It is the tallest tower in the world (634 m), and the second tallest man-made structure on Earth after Burj Khalifa (829.8 m).

1927

Near Xining, China, an 8

Near Xining, China, an 8.3 magnitude earthquake causes 200,000 deaths in one of the world's most destructive earthquakes.

2020

Protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd erupt in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, later becoming widespread across the U

Protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd erupt in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, later becoming widespread across the United States and around the world.

1900

The Reichstag approves new legislation continuing Germany's naval expansion program, providing for construction of 38 ba

The Reichstag approves new legislation continuing Germany's naval expansion program, providing for construction of 38 battleships over a 20-year period. Germany's fleet would be the largest in the wor�

1919

Admiral Ludwig von Reuter scuttles the German fleet at Scapa Flow, Orkney

Admiral Ludwig von Reuter scuttles the German fleet at Scapa Flow, Orkney. The nine sailors killed are the last casualties of World War I.

1981

The Humber Bridge opens to traffic, connecting Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

The Humber Bridge opens to traffic, connecting Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It remained the world's longest bridge span for 17 years.

1927

Prime Minister of Japan Tanaka Giichi convenes an eleven-day conference to discuss Japan's strategy in China

Prime Minister of Japan Tanaka Giichi convenes an eleven-day conference to discuss Japan's strategy in China. The Tanaka Memorial, a forged plan for world domination, is later claimed to be a secret r�

2012

The Pulitzer Prize winners are announced

The Pulitzer Prize winners are announced. It was the first time since 1977 that no book won the Fiction Prize.

1910

The oldest existing indoor ice hockey arena still used for the sport in the 21st century, Boston Arena, opens for the fi

The oldest existing indoor ice hockey arena still used for the sport in the 21st century, Boston Arena, opens for the first time.

1895

The Treaty of Shimonoseki between China and Japan is signed

The Treaty of Shimonoseki between China and Japan is signed. This marks the end of the First Sino-Japanese War, and the defeated Qing Empire is forced to renounce its claims on Korea and to concede th�

1946

Jackie Robinson makes his regular season debut for the Montreal Royals of the International League, to make them the fir

Jackie Robinson makes his regular season debut for the Montreal Royals of the International League, to make them the first integrated modern professional baseball team.

1809

An Austrian corps is defeated by the forces of the Duchy of Warsaw in the Battle of Raszyn, part of the struggles of the

An Austrian corps is defeated by the forces of the Duchy of Warsaw in the Battle of Raszyn, part of the struggles of the Fifth Coalition. On the same day the Austrian main army is defeated by a First�

1782

John Adams secures Dutch recognition of the United States as an independent government

John Adams secures Dutch recognition of the United States as an independent government. The house which he had purchased in The Hague becomes the first American embassy.

1828

René Caillié becomes the second non-Muslim to enter Timbuktu, following Major Gordon Laing

René Caillié becomes the second non-Muslim to enter Timbuktu, following Major Gordon Laing. He would also be the first to return alive.

1789

George Washington's reception at Trenton is hosted by the Ladies of Trenton as he journeys to New York City for his firs

George Washington's reception at Trenton is hosted by the Ladies of Trenton as he journeys to New York City for his first inauguration.

1967

Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov dies in Soyuz 1 when its parachute fails to open

Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov dies in Soyuz 1 when its parachute fails to open. He is the first human to die during a space mission.

1792

Highwayman Nicolas J

Highwayman Nicolas J. Pelletier becomes the first person executed by guillotine.

1958

Final run of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Royal Blue from Washington, D

Final run of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Royal Blue from Washington, D.C., to New York City after 68 years, the first U.S. passenger train to use electric locomotives.

1522

A Spanish-Imperial army defeats French-Venetian army in the battle of Bicocca

A Spanish-Imperial army defeats French-Venetian army in the battle of Bicocca. The battle marks the end of dominance of Swiss mercenaries on the battlefield and is one of the first where firearms play�