Korean War begun
On this day in 1950, North Korea unleashed an attack southward across the 38th parallel, after which the UN Security Council (minus the Soviet delegate) passed a resolution calling on UN members to assist South Korea.

1979 After almost 20 years of professional fights, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing.

Yen made official monetary unit of Japan
First minted in 1869, the yen was adopted as Japan's official monetary unit this day in 1871, when the government suspended the exchange of clan notes, money issued by feudal lords that had circulated since the 16th century.

1778 Molly Pitcher earned her nickname by carrying water to her husband's regiment during the Battle of Monmouth.

London's Globe Theatre destroyed by fire
During a performance of William Shakespeare's Henry VIII on this day in 1613, the Globe Theatre was destroyed within an hour after its thatch was accidentally set aflame by a cannon marking the king's entrance onstage.

Night of the Long Knives
On this date in 1934, in the “Night of the Long Knives,” Adolf Hitler had summarily executed many leading officials of the SA, a Nazi paramilitary group that marched in rallies and carried out violence against opponents.

1535 Sir Thomas More went on trial for treason for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England.

2016 Romanian-born Jewish writer Elie Wiesel, who won the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize largely for his works that provide a sober yet passionate testament of the destruction of European Jewry during World War II, died at age 87.

1988: US warship shoots down Iranian airliner
An American naval warship patrolling in the Persian Gulf shoots down an Iranian passenger jet after apparently mistaking it for a fighter plane.

1802 The United States Military Academy opened in West Point, New York.

1981: Police attacked in Liverpool riots
Up to 30 police officers are injured by bricks and other missiles as rioting and looting breaks out in Toxteth, Liverpool.

1885 Louis Pasteur successfully tested an antirabies vaccine.

2005: Bomb attacks on London
A series of bomb attacks on London's transport network kills more than 30 people and injures about 700 others.

Vasco da Gama's first voyage to India
On this day in 1497, Vasco da Gama sailed from Lisbon with a fleet of four vessels, and he ultimately opened a sea route from western Europe to Asia by way of the Cape of Good Hope, ushering in a new era in world history.

Catherine the Great assumed power
Catherine the Great overthrew Peter III on this day in 1762 and began her reign as empress of Russia, leading her country into full participation in the political and cultural life of Europe and extending Russian territory.