Todays History

The South African government bombs the headquarters of the African National Congress in London

The 2013 papal conclave elects Pope Francis as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church.

The Truman Doctrine is proclaimed to help stem the spread of Communism

Queen Anne withholds Royal Assent from the Scottish Militia Bill, the last time a British monarch vetoes legislation

Spaniard Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the fourth Bishop of Panama, discovers the Galápagos Islands by chance on his way to Peru

Forty-two people die in the Cavalese cable car disaster, the worst cable-car accident to date

The New York Stock Exchange is founded.

Prince William of Wied arrives in Albania to begin his reign as King.

Bayer registers “Aspirin” as a trademark.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons goes into effect after ratification by 43 nations.