Discover What Happened Today in History
A series of coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States. Hijacked planes were crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Virginia, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths.
The Chilean military, led by General Augusto Pinochet, launched a coup against the democratically elected socialist government of President Salvador Allende. Allende died during the assault on the presidential palace, leading to a 17-year military dictatorship.
Construction began on The Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, in Arlington, Virginia. It remains one of the world's largest office buildings and a symbol of the U.S. military.
French scholar Jean-François Champollion announced he had deciphered the Rosetta Stone's hieroglyphics, unlocking the written language of ancient Egypt. This breakthrough founded modern Egyptology.
Pioneering driver Janet Guthrie, the first woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, competed in her final IndyCar race at Michigan International Speedway. She paved the way for women in professional motorsports.