World Events Today
- The Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, started today in 1863, the battle is often described as the turning point of the war, as the Union Army halted the Confederate Army’s advance north
- The handover of Hong Kong, the return of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China, occurred today in 1997
- The Oresund Bridge, the combined railway and motorway bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark, opened today in 2000
Entertainment Events Today
- The Philadelphia Zoo, the first real zoo in the Western Hemisphere, opened today in 1874 with over 1,000 animals
- The inaugural Tour de France, the annual men’s multiple stage bicycle race primarily held in France, started today in 1903, it’s considered the most difficult bicycle race in the world
- The Walkman, a portable cassette player manufactured by Sony, was released today in 1979
Family Events Today
- Diana Frances Spencer who became Princess of Wales, the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry, was born today in 1961 in Norfolk
- The Canadian model and actress Pamela Anderson, who appeared in Playboy magazine and the television series Baywatch, was born today in 1967
- The American actor Marlon Brando, whose career spanned 60 years, died today in 2004 aged 80
Main Event Today
- The Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in human history, started today in 1916, over 20,000 were killed during the first day of fighting
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Gingersnap Day