🇺🇸 1860 - Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th U.S. president, his anti-slavery stance sparking division that soon led to the Civil War. 📜⚔️

🦞 1869 - The largest recorded lobster, a 44-pound giant, was caught in New Brunswick, symbolizing the rich marine life of Atlantic Canada. 🦞🌊

⚔️ 1917 - British forces captured Gaza from the Ottoman Empire, a crucial victory in World War I’s Middle Eastern campaign. 🌍🛡️

☢️ 1944 - Plutonium production began at Hanford, Washington, marking a pivotal step toward nuclear weapons in the Manhattan Project. 💣⚛️

🖼️ 1966 - The Arno River flood devastated Florence’s art treasures, drawing "mud angels" from around the world to aid in restoration. 🌊🖌️

🇲🇦 1975 - Morocco’s "Green March" into Western Sahara, organized by King Hassan II, sought to claim the region, fueling ongoing territorial disputes. 🚶‍♂️🏜️

🔫 1990 - Rabbi Meir Kahane was assassinated in New York City, highlighting deep religious and political divides in the Jewish community. ✡️🕊️

♟️ 1993 - Garry Kasparov retained his chess world title in a famous match, bringing unprecedented media attention to chess worldwide. 🧠🏆

🇦🇺 1999 - Australia’s referendum to remove the British monarchy was narrowly defeated, preserving its status as a constitutional monarchy. 👑🇦🇺

🇨🇳 2012 - Xi Jinping emerged as China’s leader at the 18th National Congress, initiating a new era of centralized power and party control. 🏛️🇨🇳