1616 First non-aristocratic, free public school in Europe is opened in Frascati, Italy
1821 Act of Independence of Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua declare their independence from the Spanish Empire
1835 HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin on board reaches the Galapagos Islands
1916 first use of tanks in warfare, “Little Willies” at Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Battle of the Somme
1928 Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin while studying influenza
1940 Battle of Britain Day: climax of the Battle of Britain, tide begins to turn as the Royal Air Force repulses a major Luftwaffe attack, losing 29 aircraft to the Germans’ 57-61
1992 George Soros’ Quantum Fund begins selling large amounts of pound sterling, labelled “the man who broke the Bank of England” when pound crashes out of the ERM next day
Today in Film & TV
1949 “Lone Ranger” premieres on ABC-TV. Hi-yo, Silver! Away!
Today in Music
2005 “Be Without You” single released by Mary J. Blige (Billboard Song of the Year 2006, Grammy Award Best R&B Song, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance 2005)
Today in Sport
1960 Maurice Richard announces his retirement. He finishes his career with 544 goals, an NHL record at the time.
Do you know this fact about today? Did You Know?
The John Bull becomes the oldest operable steam locomotive in the world when the Smithsonian Institution operates it under its own power outside Washington, D.C.
Would You Believe?
Google.com is registered as a domain name On this day in 1997
