World Events Today
- The Battle of Rorke’s Drift, between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom, started today in 1879 and continued into the following day, 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded
- The first wide-body airplane, the Boeing 747, entered into service today in 1970
- The American domestic terrorist Theodore John Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, pled guilty today in 1998
Entertainment Events Today
- Brahms Piano Concerto Number 1 in D minor, was performed in public for the first time today in 1858, it was his first-performed orchestral work
- The American singer Aretha Franklin, released the album Lady Soul today in 1968, it included the hit record You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman
- The American boxer Mike Tyson beat countryman Larry Holmes, to retain his undisputed heavyweight boxing title today in 1988, he won by a Technical Knockout after flooring Holmes 3 times in the 4th round
Family Events Today
- Lord Byron, regarded as one of the greatest English poets ever, was born today in 1788, his most famous work was Don Juan
- The American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, also known as “The King of Soul”, was born today in 1931 in Mississippi
- The American actor and singer Aristotelis “Telly” Savalas, most famous for his role as Kojak, died today in 1994 aged 72
Main Event Today
- The first 150 soldiers of the Pontifical Swiss Guard arrived today in 1506, this is the official date of the Guard’s foundation
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Blonde Brownie Day