OTD:

In 1580, Sir Francis Drake completed his circumnavigation of the globe, enriching England and increasing tensions with Spain through his raids on Spanish assets.

In 1897, Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations premiered in London, becoming one of his most celebrated works for its emotional depth and mysterious theme.

In 1907, New Zealand was granted Dominion status, transitioning from a colony to a self-governing entity within the British Commonwealth.

In 1928, Boeing Air Transport's first passenger flight took off, marking the beginning of commercial air travel, which would evolve into United Airlines.

In 1960, the first televised U.S. presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon highlighted the growing importance of media image in politics.

In 1983, Soviet officer Stanislav Petrov averted a potential nuclear war by identifying a false missile alarm during the Cold War.

In 1984, British diplomat Sir Robert Frossard was assassinated by the IRA in The Hague, escalating the conflict beyond the UK and heightening security concerns.

In 1996, the Taliban seized control of Kabul, beginning a period of strict Islamic rule in Afghanistan that lasted until 2001.

In 1997, Venice’s famed La Fenice opera house was destroyed by fire, but it was meticulously rebuilt and reopened in 2003.

In 2014, the People’s Climate March in New York City drew over 300,000 participants, urging world leaders to take urgent action on climate change.