Protests began in Tehran, triggered in large part by Iran’s economic freefall during 2025. They quickly spread to the rest of the country and became the most serious challenge to the Iranian regime in years. Within two weeks, the government had violently suppressed the protests, leaving thousands dead.

Actress and singer Debbie Reynolds died, a day after the sudden and unexpected death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, who was a noted actress and writer. [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about A-list actors.]

John Evans Atta Mills was elected president of Ghana, defeating Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by a narrow margin.

The Detroit Lions became the first team in NFL history to lose all 16 games in the regular season. [Test your knowledge of American football.]

U.S. President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act, which obligates federal and state governments to protect all species threatened with extinction that fall within the borders of the United States and its outlying territories. [Explore a timeline of environmental history.]

Denzel Washington, who won Academy Awards for his engaging and powerful performances in the films Glory (1989) and Training Day (2001), was born in Mount Vernon, New York. [Take our quiz about actors and acting.]

Pablo Gargallo, a Spanish sculptor known for figures made from iron and other metals, died. [Test your knowledge of sculptors and sculpture.]

Gustave Eiffel, designer of the famous Eiffel Tower, died at age 91. [How much do you know about Paris?]

While imprisoned for participating in a plot to gain Irish independence, Constance Markievicz became the first woman elected to the British House of Commons. She refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the king, however, which prevented her from taking her seat. [Take our quiz about famous female firsts.]

The first public demonstration of the Cinématographe, an early motion-picture apparatus designed by the Lumière brothers, took place at the Grand Café in Paris. [Test your knowledge of movies.]

The first session of the Indian National Congress convened in what is today Mumbai. A key moment in the Indian Independence Movement, it was attended by more than 70 representatives representing virtually every province of British India. [Explore a timeline of the Indian Independence Movement.]

Following his election to the Senate, John C. Calhoun became the first U.S. vice president to resign. At that time, the Constitution did not have procedures for filling such a vacancy, and the post remained empty until Martin Van Buren was sworn in the following year. [How much do you know about the history of American politics?]

The Highland outlaw Rob Roy, known as the Scottish Robin Hood, died.

Mary II, who became queen of England in 1689, died of smallpox in London at age 32. [Test your knowledge of British culture and politics.]

The original Westminster Abbey, located in London, was consecrated and opened by Edward the Confessor. It became the site of coronations and other ceremonies of national significance in England.