Discover What Happened Today in History
According to legend, Greek soldiers emerged from the Trojan Horse and sacked the city of Troy, ending the decade-long Trojan War. This event, immortalized in Homer's epics, became a foundational myth of Western literature and culture.
President John Adams approved legislation to establish the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., with a $5,000 appropriation for books. It has since grown into the world's largest library and a vital research institution for the U.S. Congress.
Ottoman authorities arrested and executed hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople (Istanbul). This date marks the start of the systematic deportation and mass killing of Armenians, recognized by many historians as a genocide.
The Space Shuttle Discovery crew released the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit from the shuttle's cargo bay. Despite initial mirror issues, Hubble revolutionized astronomy by providing unprecedented deep-space images free of Earth's atmospheric distortion.
Following the death of Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected as the 265th pope, taking the name Benedict XVI. His papacy emphasized traditional Catholic doctrine and lasted until his historic resignation in 2013.