MONDAY, Aug. 10, 2026

612 B.C. witnessed the fall of Nineveh, the once-great city of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, to the Babylonians and their Medes allies. This event marked the demise of one of the world's most powerful empires and resulted in the death of King Sinsharishkun.

In a religious event, traditional Muslims observe Laylat al-Qadr, also known as the Night of Power, on the 27th night of Ramadan. During this night, it is believed that the Quran was first revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad by God.

Explorer John Cabot made his way to Asia in 1497, opening up new trading routes and opportunities for European nations.

In 1675, King Charles II and John Flamsteed laid the foundation stone of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. The observatory would later become a hub for astronomical research and education.

The U.S. Act of Congress in 1846 established the Smithsonian Institution, which has grown to become the world's largest museum and research complex, housing vast collections and fostering scientific inquiry.

NASA's Magellan spacecraft arrived at Venus in 1990, providing valuable data and images of the planet's surface and atmosphere.

In 2001, the U.S. and U.K. rejected a proposal by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to allow Iraq to use $1 billion per year to fund infrastructure improvements and increase its oil production capacity. The decision was met with mixed reactions from the international community.