Discover What Happened Today in History
Roman Emperor Constantine I officially dedicated the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) as the new capital of the Roman Empire. This strategic move shifted the empire's center of power eastward, shaping the course of European and Middle Eastern history for centuries.
The Diamond Sutra, a key Buddhist scripture, was printed in China using woodblock printing. This text is considered the world's oldest surviving dated printed book, marking a pivotal moment in the history of publishing and the spread of knowledge.
British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was shot and killed in the lobby of the House of Commons by a merchant with a personal grievance. He remains the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated.
IBM's chess-playing computer Deep Blue defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in the final game of a six-game rematch, winning the match 3.5–2.5. This was the first time a computer defeated a reigning world champion under standard chess tournament conditions.
A destructive earthquake struck the town of Lorca in southeastern Spain, killing nine people and causing significant damage to the town's historic buildings. The quake was unusually shallow, which amplified the ground shaking and destruction.