Discover What Happened Today in History
Following the death of his father Constantius Chlorus, Constantine the Great was proclaimed Roman Emperor by his troops in York, Britain. This event marked the beginning of his reign, which would later see the legalization of Christianity and the founding of Constantinople.
French aviator Louis Blériot successfully flew across the English Channel from Calais to Dover in his monoplane, Blériot XI. The 37-minute flight demonstrated the practical potential of aircraft for transportation and won him a £1,000 prize from the Daily Mail newspaper.
Louise Brown was born in Oldham, England, becoming the first human conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Her birth, achieved by Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Dr. Robert Edwards, was a monumental breakthrough in reproductive science and medicine.
Following a vote of no confidence by the Fascist Grand Council, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was arrested by order of King Victor Emmanuel III. This event led to his brief imprisonment and the collapse of the Fascist government in Italy, a major turning point in World War II.
The Games of the XXV Olympiad opened in Barcelona, Spain. The ceremony was famously highlighted by Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo lighting the Olympic cauldron by shooting a flaming arrow over it, creating one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history.