World History & Politics
- 1788 – Massachusetts ratifies the U.S. Constitution
Becoming the sixth state to join the Union. - 1840 – Treaty of Waitangi is signed (New Zealand)
Considered New Zealand’s founding document, establishing British governance and defining Māori–Crown relations. - 1952 – Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
She became Queen of the United Kingdom after the death of her father, King George VI.
Culture & Society
- 1933 – Monopoly is first sold commercially
The board game begins its rise to become one of the best-selling games in history.
Sports
- 1958 – Munich air disaster
A plane carrying the Manchester United football team crashed in Germany, killing 23 people and profoundly impacting the sport.
Science & Technology
- 2018 – SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy for the first time
The powerful rocket successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a major milestone in private spaceflight.
Notable Birthdays
- Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) – 40th President of the United States
- Bob Marley (1945–1981) – Jamaican singer, songwriter, and reggae legend
- Babe Ruth (1895–1948) – American baseball icon and Hall of Famer
- Axl Rose (1962– ) – Lead singer of Guns N’ Roses
- Alice Cooper (1948– ) – Rock musician and performer
- Rick Astley (1966– ) – British singer known for “Never Gonna Give You Up”
