In History, Today on September 15

The first all-civilian crew launched into orbit aboard SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission.

The Cassini spacecraft, a collaboration between NASA, ESA, and the Italian Space Agency, ended its mission by plunging into Saturn's atmosphere after 13 years of exploration.

Hungary closed its border with Serbia to stop the influx of migrants, leading to clashes between police and migrants and sparking international criticism.

The United States launched its first airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq, marking the beginning of a broader military campaign against the Islamic State group.

Occupy Wall Street, a protest movement against economic inequality and the influence of corporate money in politics, began in Zuccotti Park in New York City.

Lehman Brothers, a global financial services firm, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, marking the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history and a pivotal moment in the global financial crisis.

The National Hockey League (NHL) announces a lockout, leading to the eventual cancellation of the season.

The Summer Olympic Games commence in Sydney, Australia, featuring athletes from around the world.

A devastating earthquake struck Taiwan, killing over 2,400 people and injuring more than 8,700 others.

Google.com was registered as a domain name, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most influential technology companies in the world.

France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) set a new world rail speed record of 515.3 km/h (320.2 mph) in a test run.

The first issue of USA Today is published.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Sandra Day O'Connor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, making her the first woman to serve on the Court.

Muhammad Ali won the world heavyweight boxing title for the third time by defeating Leon Spinks in New Orleans.

The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four African American girls and marking a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Nikita Khrushchev became the first Soviet leader to visit the United States, marking a significant moment in Cold War diplomacy.

UN forces, led by General Douglas MacArthur, launched the successful Inchon Landing during the Korean War, which turned the tide in favor of the United Nations Command.

The U.S. Air Force was established as a separate branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The United States Marines landed on Peleliu, beginning a brutal battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, which lasted over two months.

The Battle of Britain reached its climax as the Royal Air Force (RAF) successfully repelled a large-scale attack by the German Luftwaffe, marking a turning point in World War II.

The Nuremberg Laws were enacted in Nazi Germany, institutionalizing racial discrimination against Jews and laying the groundwork for the Holocaust.

The first use of tanks in warfare occurred during the Battle of the Somme in World War I, marking a significant development in military technology.

The first Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces captured the port city of Pyongyang from China.

The French battleship 'La Redoutable', the first all-steel warship, was launched.

William Howard Taft, who would become the 27th President of the United States and later the 10th Chief Justice of the United States, was born.

The HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin aboard, reached the Galápagos Islands, which would later play a crucial role in the development of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.

The Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first inter-city railway, opened.

Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica declared independence from Spain.

During the French invasion of Russia, the French army under Napoleon entered the Kremlin in Moscow, only to find the city largely deserted and subsequently set ablaze by its own inhabitants.

British forces occupied New York City during the American Revolutionary War.

British forces, under the command of General James Wolfe, began their pivotal assault on Quebec City during the French and Indian War, part of the Seven Years' War.

The first non-aristocratic, free public school in Europe, the Gymnasium Illustre, was founded in Amsterdam.

The Council of Trent was held which marked a major Counter-Reformation effort by the Catholic Church.

Thomas Wolsey is appointed Archbishop of York.

The Prussian Confederation was formed by a group of Prussian cities and gentry to oppose the rule of the Teutonic Knights.

The Battle of Mondovì occurs during the Wars of the Guelphs and Ghibellines, where Amadeus VI of Savoy defeats the forces of John II of Montferrat.

Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II lands at Acre, starting his crusade.

After the assassination of his predecessor, Amalric of Nesle, Guillaume aux Blanches Mains is elected Archbishop of Reims.

Edward the Confessor orders the arrest of Earl Godwin for refusing to obey royal orders, which eventually leads to Godwin's exile from England.

Saint Ludmila, grandmother of Saint Wenceslaus and a key figure in the Christianization of Bohemia, was murdered.

The Byzantine Emperor Constans II was assassinated in his bath at Syracuse, Sicily, by his chamberlain. Constans II had been ruling since 641 and his reign was marked by military conflicts with the Arabs and internal religious disputes.