Mexican Revolution launched by Francisco Madero
On this day in 1910, Francisco Madero launched a failed revolt that sparked the Mexican Revolution by inspiring hope in such leaders as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, who then mobilized their armies against the government of Porfirio Díaz, the president of Mexico. 1910
The first World Cup to be held in the Middle East began. Ecuador defeated Qatar, the host country, in the tournament‘s first match. 2022.
American civil defense analyst Jonathan Pollard was released from prison, having served 30 years for selling classified information to Israel. 2015.
A massive fire erupted at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England, causing the destruction of 115 rooms, though the art collection stored there was largely untouched. It took nearly five years to repair the damage. 1992.
The future Queen Elizabeth II married Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey. 1947.
American politician Robert F. Kennedy—who held several posts in the administration of his brother President John F. Kennedy and later served as a U.S. senator before being assassinated—was born in Massachusetts. 1925.
For the first time, tanks were used effectively in warfare, by the British at the Battle of Cambrai. 1917.
The American whaling ship Essex was rammed by a sperm whale and later sank, inspiring the climactic scene in Herman Melville‘s novel Moby Dick (1851). 1820
