In History, Today on September 28

William the Conqueror lands in England at Pevensey Bay, marking the beginning of the Norman Conquest.

Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo discovers California, landing at what is now San Diego Bay.

The Siege of Yorktown begins during the American Revolutionary War, leading to the eventual surrender of British forces.

The Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire is drafted, marking the end of Spanish rule in Mexico.

Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin, the first true antibiotic, revolutionizing medicine.

Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign the German–Soviet Frontier Treaty, dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence.

CBS makes the first color television broadcast in the United States.

France ratifies a new constitution, establishing the Fifth Republic under Charles de Gaulle.

Pope John Paul I dies suddenly after only 33 days in office, leading to the election of Pope John Paul II.

The ferry MS Estonia sinks in the Baltic Sea, resulting in the deaths of 852 people, one of the worst maritime disasters of the 20th century.

The Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, began following a visit by Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a site sacred to both Jews and Muslims. The visit sparked protests and violence, leading to a prolonged period of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

SpaceX successfully launched Falcon 1, becoming the first privately developed liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit. This marked a significant milestone in the commercial space industry.

Pro-democracy protests, known as the Umbrella Movement, began in Hong Kong. Demonstrators demanded more transparent elections and greater autonomy from China, leading to weeks of occupation in key areas of the city.

The Colombian government and the FARC rebel group signed a historic peace agreement to end over 50 years of conflict. The agreement was reached after four years of negotiations in Havana, Cuba.

A powerful earthquake and tsunami struck the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. The disaster resulted in over 4,000 deaths and significant damage to infrastructure.