OTD:

In 904, Thessaloniki, Greece, was sacked by Saracen pirates led by Leo of Tripoli, resulting in significant destruction, loss of life, and many inhabitants being taken into slavery, highlighting the Byzantine Empire's vulnerability to naval raids.

In 1930, the inaugural FIFA World Cup concluded in Montevideo, Uruguay, with Uruguay defeating Argentina 4-2, making Uruguay the first country to win the World Cup and setting a precedent for international football competitions.

In 1941, in Jerusalem, the Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, called for a general strike and rebellion against British rule and Jewish immigration, significantly escalating the Arab revolt in Palestine.

In 1965, J.K. Rowling was born in Yate, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom; she would go on to write the Harry Potter series, becoming one of the best-selling authors in history and profoundly impacting literature and popular culture.

In 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin became the first to drive a vehicle on the Moon, using the Lunar Roving Vehicle to explore a greater area and advancing lunar exploration.

In 1991, President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) in Moscow, significantly reducing nuclear weapons and marking a crucial step in the de-escalation of the Cold War.

In 1992, American swimmer Jenny Thompson won her first Olympic gold medal in the women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay at the Barcelona Olympics, beginning her illustrious career and becoming one of the most decorated female swimmers in Olympic history.

In 2007, the first Bitcoin transaction occurred between its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, and computer scientist Hal Finney, marking the beginning of Bitcoin's journey as a decentralized digital currency and highlighting the potential of blockchain technology.