Discover What Happened Today in History
Pope Gregory XIII issued the papal bull 'Inter gravissimas,' introducing the Gregorian calendar to correct inaccuracies in the Julian calendar. This reform realigned the calendar with the solar year and is the system still in use today.
The U.S. Supreme Court, under Chief Justice John Marshall, established the principle of judicial review in this landmark case. The ruling gave the Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional, shaping the balance of power in the U.S. government.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. military forces in Los Angeles fired over 1,400 anti-aircraft shells at what was believed to be an enemy aircraft. The incident, now attributed to war nerves and possibly a stray weather balloon, caused widespread alarm.
Astronomers Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish announced the discovery of pulsars—rapidly rotating neutron stars emitting beams of radiation. This major astrophysical discovery provided key evidence for the existence of neutron stars and advanced understanding of stellar evolution.
After nearly 50 years in power, Fidel Castro announced he would not accept another term as President of Cuba. His brother, Raúl Castro, was formally elected as his successor, marking a significant political transition in the country's history.