Discover What Happened Today in History
British forces under General James Wolfe defeated the French under the Marquis de Montcalm on the outskirts of Quebec City. This decisive battle led to the British conquest of New France, shaping the future of Canada.
A large iron rod was driven completely through the head of railroad foreman Phineas Gage in an explosive accident. His survival and subsequent personality changes provided pivotal early insights into the brain's localization of function.
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat shook hands after signing the Oslo I Accord at the White House. The accords established a framework for Palestinian self-government in parts of the occupied territories.
The temperature in Al 'Aziziyah, Libya, reached 58°C (136.4°F), which was long accepted as the highest natural temperature ever recorded on Earth. This measurement stood as a world record for decades.
The inaugural New York City Marathon was held, with 127 runners completing multiple loops inside Central Park. The event has since grown into one of the world's largest and most famous marathons.