The Battle of Dynekilen forces Sweden to abandon its invasion of Norway.

The Battle of Dynekilen was a significant naval engagement during the Great Northern War. It took place on July 8, 1716, in the Dynekilen fjord, near the Swedish-Norwegian border. The battle was fought between the Swedish fleet, commanded by Charles XII of Sweden, and the Danish-Norwegian fleet, commanded by Peter Tordenskjold.

Background: The Great Northern War (1700-1721) was a conflict in which a coalition of several European powers, including Denmark-Norway, Russia, and Poland, challenged the supremacy of the Swedish Empire in Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe.
Strategic Importance: Dynekilen was a strategic point because controlling it allowed for dominance over the supply routes and the movement of troops in the region.
Forces Involved:
Swedish Fleet: Comprised smaller ships intended to protect supply lines and support land operations in Norway.
Danish-Norwegian Fleet: Commanded by Tordenskjold, consisted of larger ships equipped for naval combat.
Outcome: The Danish-Norwegian fleet achieved a decisive victory. Tordenskjold’s forces managed to capture or destroy most of the Swedish vessels, thereby crippling Swedish naval operations in the area and securing Norwegian waters.
Consequences: This victory disrupted Swedish supply lines and contributed to the broader efforts to weaken Swedish control in the region. It also elevated Tordenskjold’s reputation as a capable naval commander.

The inaugural 1980 State of Origin game is won by Queensland who defeat New South Wales 20–10 at Lang Park.

The State of Origin rugby league series is an annual competition played between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues, two representative teams in the National Rugby League (NRL) of Australia. The series is widely regarded as one of the highest levels of rugby league in the world and is known for its intense rivalry and passionate support.

Origin matches are unique in that they feature the best players from each state competing against each other, rather than representing club teams. Players are selected based on their state of origin, meaning they must have been born in Queensland or New South Wales, or have played the majority of their professional rugby league career in either state.

The State of Origin series consists of three matches played on a home-and-away basis. The teams alternate hosting the matches each year, with one game played in Queensland, another in New South Wales, and the third in the state that didn’t host the previous year. The matches are typically played on Wednesday nights, allowing players to return to their club teams for weekend NRL matches.

The State of Origin series has a rich history, with the first match taking place in 1980. Since then, the rivalry has grown significantly, and the matches are considered some of the most fiercely contested and physically demanding in rugby league. The games are known for their hard hits, passionate fans, and high-level performances from some of the sport’s greatest players.

Queensland has been the dominant team in recent years, winning the series multiple times in a row between 2006 and 2013. Led by legendary players such as Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, and Billy Slater, the Maroons established a dynasty during that period. However, New South Wales has had its share of success as well and has been able to regain dominance in recent years, winning several series since 2014.

The State of Origin series has become a significant event in Australian sports culture. The matches draw large television audiences and sell out stadiums, showcasing the passion and pride of fans from both states. The series has also expanded its reach, with occasional matches played in other states and even internationally.

The State of Origin rugby league series is a highly anticipated and fiercely contested event that showcases the best of Australian rugby league talent. It brings together the intense rivalries between Queensland and New South Wales and provides an opportunity for players to represent their state and compete at the highest level.

Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan sign the Treaty of Saadabad.

The Chrysler wildcat strike begins in Detroit, Michigan.

The first issue of The Wall Street Journal is published.

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The Battle of Dynekilen forces Sweden to abandon its invasion of Norway.

In 8 July 1716 the Swedish king, Karl XII, raised an army of 20,000 men to meet a planned invasion by Denmark. However, Denmark abondoned the offensive plans and Karl seized the initiative and invaded instead Norway in March 1717 with 8,000 troops. He thought probably he could win an easy victory and use Norway as a bargaining chip with his enemies.

The Swedish king approached the Norwegian capital, then named Kristiania, and occupied the city. When it was clear that the city could not be held, the garrison of Akershus was reinforced and the rest of the Norwegian army withdrew to Lier, southwest of the capital. However, it did not come to a battle since the Norvegians were well prepaired to stop the Swedish army at Gjellebekk, so they turned back before the battle became a large tragedy. Only 39 people lost their life at Gjellebekk.

Norway was at this time in union with Denmark, so invading Norway was political also an attack on Denmark.

Karl concentrated his efforts on breaking through to the the west, but Akershus fortress was too strong to capture, and every road was stoutly held, the people rising en masse to defend their country and cautiously taking the offensive in several small actions. He began his return march to Sweden on 29 April and turned to the equally important task of capturing Fredriksten. This fortress, guarding the southeastern border, was a constant threat to any invader of Norway, and besides, the neighboring city Fredrikshald had a splendid harbor.

After violent fighting Karl captured the city by a surprise attack but had to retreat because the people evacuated it, burning their homes, while the fortress opened fire on the city. He had slight hopes that he might still capture the fortress if his transport fleet lying in Dynekilen, a little inlet a few miles to the south, could reach him with supplies.

The final nail in the invasion coffin was delivered by Norwegian Admiral Peter Wessel Tordenskjold, who on 8 July captured the Swedish supply fleet at the Battle of Dynekil. When the news reached Karl, he broke camp and two days later the last Swedish soldier left Norwegian soil.

In the Autumn of 1718 Karl again attacked Norway. While on an inspection visit to the forward trenches on 30 November, the king was hit in the head by a Norwegian sharpshooter’s round fired from the fortress and was immediately killed.

The Durants write that “he died as he had lived, stupefied with bravery. He was a great general, and won unbelievable victories against great odds; but he loved wars to intoxication, never had victories enough…”

Reports are first broadcast that a UFO had crashed in Roswell, New Mexico in what became known as the Roswell UFO incident.

Kim Jong-il begins becomes the supreme leader of North Korea upon the death of his father, Kim Il-sung.

The Wall Street Journal is published.