Discover What Happened Today in History
British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team entered the intact burial chamber of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. This discovery became one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century, revealing a vast collection of artifacts.
US Secretary of State Cordell Hull presented a final diplomatic note to Japanese diplomats demanding Japan withdraw from China and Indochina. Japan viewed the terms as an unacceptable ultimatum, leading directly to the decision to proceed with the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In London, six armed robbers stole £26 million in gold bullion, diamonds, and cash from the Brink's-Mat warehouse at Heathrow Airport. It was one of the largest robberies in British history and had lasting impacts on organized crime and money laundering in the UK.
Indian security forces concluded operations against terrorists who had carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai, India, over four days. The siege at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel ended, concluding a devastating event that resulted in over 160 deaths.
NASA launched the Mars Science Laboratory mission, carrying the Curiosity rover, from Cape Canaveral. The car-sized rover successfully landed on Mars in August 2012 to assess the planet's past and present potential to support microbial life.