Blue Origin launched and landed its New Shepard rocket for the first time, demonstrating vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, a milestone in the commercial space race led by private companies.
๐ Texas, United States
The UK passed the Constitutional Reform Act, significantly altering the structure of the judiciary. It created the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, separating it from the House of Lords and enhancing judicial independence.
๐ London, United Kingdom
The European Space Agency launched Envisat, one of the most advanced Earth observation satellites. It provided vital data for environmental and climate research before communication ceased in 2012.
๐ Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Australia held its first National Sorry Day to acknowledge the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians, especially the Stolen Generations, marking a pivotal moment in the nationโs reconciliation process.
๐ Canberra, Australia
Kazakhstan adopted its first constitution since gaining independence from the Soviet Union. The document formalized the country's new political structure and legal framework.
๐ Astana (then Akmola), Kazakhstan
Azerbaijan declared independence from the Soviet Union amidst the latter's dissolution, becoming one of several former republics to emerge as sovereign states, shifting the geopolitical landscape of Eurasia.
๐ Baku, Azerbaijan
Michael Jackson announced the global schedule for his 'Bad' World Tour, which became one of the highest-grossing tours of all time and helped solidify his status as the King of Pop worldwide.
๐ Los Angeles, United States
The Solidarity movement in Poland held its first major rally, gathering tens of thousands and challenging communist rule. This marked a turning point in the democratic transition of Eastern Europe.
๐ Gdaลsk, Poland
Indira Gandhi returned as Prime Minister of India following her party's victory in the national elections, solidifying her political legacy in one of the worldโs largest democracies.
๐ New Delhi, India
Apollo 10, the final dress rehearsal for the moon landing, successfully returned to Earth. The mission tested all components of a lunar landing except for the actual landing, paving the way for Apollo 11.
๐ Pacific Ocean (Splashdown)
The Australian Parliament passed legislation granting all Indigenous Australians the right to vote in federal elections, a key milestone in the countryโs civil rights movement.
๐ Canberra, Australia
British Guiana, now Guyana, achieved internal self-government from the United Kingdom, a key step toward full independence which would come in 1966.
๐ Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana)
The U.S. conducted its first test of a thermonuclear bomb at Bikini Atoll as part of Operation Redwing. The explosion marked a new phase in nuclear weapons development and heightened Cold War tensions.
๐ Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands
The U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee began hearings targeting alleged communist influence in Hollywood, resulting in blacklists and a chilling effect on creative expression during the Cold War.
๐ Washington, D.C., United States
Edsel Ford succeeded his father, Henry Ford, as president of the Ford Motor Company, marking a generational transition in one of the worldโs most influential industrial firms.
๐ Detroit, United States
Georgia declared independence from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic, establishing the Democratic Republic of Georgia. This marked its emergence as a modern nation-state after centuries of imperial rule.
๐ Tbilisi, Georgia
Bram Stokerโs Gothic horror novel 'Dracula' was published in London. The book introduced Count Dracula and helped shape modern vampire mythology and horror literature.
๐ London, United Kingdom
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was published for the first time by Charles Dow. It began tracking 12 of the largest U.S. industrial companies, becoming a key indicator of global financial markets.
๐ New York, United States
The Paper Currency Act of 1861 came into force, giving the Government of India exclusive rights to issue paper currency, laying the foundation for the modern Indian monetary system.
๐ Calcutta, British India
The British Parliament formally ratified the Treaty of Union, uniting the Kingdoms of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain, reshaping the political landscape of Europe.
๐ London, England