Discover What Happened Today in History
Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, died, traditionally said by suicide via asp bite. Her death marked the end of the Hellenistic period in Egypt and its annexation as a province of the Roman Empire.
Isaac Merritt Singer received a patent for an improved sewing machine, featuring a rigid arm and a presser foot. This innovation revolutionized garment manufacturing and made home sewing far more practical.
American astronomer Asaph Hall discovered Deimos, the smaller and outer moon of Mars. He had discovered the larger moon, Phobos, just a few days earlier, on August 10.
Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most dominant players in NBA history, was born. He famously scored 100 points in a single game in 1962 and averaged 50.4 points per game for an entire season.
NASA successfully launched the Echo 1A passive communications satellite. The 100-foot diameter balloon was the world's first successful communications satellite, reflecting radio signals between continents.