Discover What Happened Today in History
American film icon and cultural symbol Marilyn Monroe was found dead at her Los Angeles home from a barbiturate overdose. Her tragic death at age 36 became one of the most famous and enduring mysteries in Hollywood history.
The United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in Moscow, prohibiting nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. It was a major early step in nuclear arms control during the Cold War.
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission successfully landed the car-sized Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars. This began an ongoing mission to assess the planet's past and present potential to host microbial life.
The United States Congress passed legislation abolishing flogging as a punishment in the U.S. Army. This was part of broader military reforms during the early stages of the American Civil War.
At the Rio Olympics, American gymnast Simone Biles won gold in the individual all-around, vault, and floor exercise, adding to her team gold. This cemented her status as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.