OTD:

In 636, the Rashidun Caliphate decisively defeated the Byzantine Empire in the Battle of Yarmouk, marking a significant shift in regional power and the beginning of Islamic expansion into Byzantine territories.

In 1741, Antonio Vivaldi's opera Griselda premiered in Venice, showcasing his skill in adapting complex stories into musical compositions.

In 1882, a devastating fire at Moscow's Khitrov Market destroyed hundreds of wooden stalls, causing widespread panic and economic loss.

In 1887, Emil Berliner patented the gramophone, revolutionizing the music industry by introducing flat disc recordings as the standard for recorded sound.

In 1913, Dr. Friedrich Maass performed the first successful open-heart surgery in Vienna, marking a milestone in medical history.

In 1940, Soviet agent Ramón Mercader assassinated exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky in Mexico City, underscoring the brutality of Stalin's regime.

In 1975, a military coup in Bangladesh overthrew and assassinated Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, leading to political instability in the country.

In 1991, the first international conference on artificial life was held in Linz, Austria, marking the emergence of a new interdisciplinary field exploring life-like systems.

In 1992, American sprinter Evelyn Ashford won her final Olympic gold in the 4x100 meters relay in Barcelona, capping off an illustrious career.

In 2013, Iceland became one of the first countries to make Bitcoin legal tender, highlighting its innovative approach to finance and technology.