Discover What Happened Today in History
Galileo Galilei observed three points of light near Jupiter through his telescope, which he later determined were its largest moons: Io, Europa, and Ganymede. This discovery provided crucial evidence against the Earth-centered model of the universe.
The United States held its first presidential election, with electors chosen to select the president. George Washington was unanimously elected, becoming the nation's first president.
A commercial telephone service between New York and London was inaugurated, marking the first transatlantic phone call. The call connected Walter S. Gifford, president of AT&T, and Sir Evelyn Murray, head of the British Post Office.
Contralto Marian Anderson made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York as Ulrica in Verdi's 'Un Ballo in Maschera.' She was the first African American to perform a principal role with the prestigious company.
Vietnamese troops and Cambodian rebels captured Phnom Penh, overthrowing the brutal Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot. This event marked the end of the Cambodian genocide and the beginning of a decade-long Vietnamese occupation.
The impeachment trial of U.S. President Bill Clinton began in the Senate. He was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, but was later acquitted on both articles.