109, Roman Emperor Trajan inaugurates the Aqua Traiana aqueduct, channeling water 40 km to Rome. Learn more →
1314, Scottish forces under Robert the Bruce defeat a much larger English army at the Battle of Bannockburn, securing Scottish independence. Learn more →
1374, A mass dancing plague strikes Aachen, Germany, as crowds dance uncontrollably for hours in a mysterious wave of mass psychogenic illness. Learn more →
1717, Four Masonic lodges unite at a London alehouse to form the world's first Grand Lodge, founding modern Freemasonry. Learn more →
1948, The Soviet Union launches the Berlin Blockade, cutting all Allied land access to West Berlin and triggering the Western Berlin Airlift. Learn more →
1983, Astronaut Sally Ride lands aboard Space Shuttle Challenger, completing her voyage as the first American woman in space. Learn more →
2010, John Isner defeats Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in the longest tennis match in professional history, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes. Learn more →
2010, Julia Gillard is sworn in as Australia's first female Prime Minister after ousting Kevin Rudd in a Labor Party leadership vote. Learn more →