In History, Today on August 7

Construction of the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence began, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, marking a significant development in Renaissance architecture.

George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, which later became the Purple Heart, to honor soldiers for their service in the American Revolutionary War.

The United States Department of War is established, responsible for military affairs until it was replaced by the Department of Defense in 1949.

Alice Huyler Ramsey becomes the first woman to complete a transcontinental automobile trip across the United States, driving from New York to San Francisco.

The Battle of Guadalcanal began during World War II, marking the first major offensive by Allied forces against the Empire of Japan.

Ivory Coast gained independence from France, marking a significant moment in the decolonization of Africa.

Philippe Petit performs a high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, an act later documented in the film 'Man on Wire'.

Operation Desert Shield was launched by the United States to protect Saudi Arabia following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, leading to the Gulf War.

The United States embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, were bombed by al-Qaeda, resulting in 224 deaths and over 4,000 injuries.

The Russo-Georgian War began when Georgia launched a military operation to regain control over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, leading to a military response from Russia.

The 2010 Ladakh floods occurred in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, resulting in significant loss of life and property.

The United States returned 500 cultural artifacts to Iraq that had been looted during the Iraq War.

A mass shooting occurred in El Paso, Texas, resulting in 23 deaths and 23 injuries. It was one of the deadliest attacks on the Latino community in modern U.S. history.