Discover What Happened Today in History
Christopher Columbus and the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella signed this agreement, granting Columbus the titles and rewards for any lands he might discover on his voyage. This contract funded his expedition, which led to the European discovery of the Americas.
A CIA-sponsored paramilitary group of Cuban exiles launched an unsuccessful invasion of southern Cuba in an attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro's government. The invasion was defeated within three days, becoming a major foreign policy embarrassment for the U.S. Kennedy administration.
The crippled Apollo 13 spacecraft splashed down safely in the South Pacific Ocean after a harrowing space mission. The successful recovery followed an oxygen tank explosion that forced the crew to abort their moon landing and use the lunar module as a lifeboat.
Queen Elizabeth II signed the Canada Act in Ottawa, formally granting Canada full political independence from the United Kingdom. This act patriated the Canadian constitution, allowing Canada to amend its own founding document without British approval.
The San Diego Padres played their first official game at their new downtown ballpark, Petco Park, losing to the San Francisco Giants. The stadium's opening marked a significant moment in baseball and the revitalization of San Diego's city center.