The USS Constitution defeats the British frigate HMS Guerriere in a naval battle off the coast of Nova Scotia. The American ship earned the nickname 'Old Ironsides' because British cannonballs appeared to bounce off her hull.
A French fashion designer and businesswoman who founded the Chanel brand. She revolutionized women's fashion by popularizing a sporty, casual chic aesthetic, including the iconic little black dress.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts its first race, marking the beginning of auto racing history. The inaugural event was a series of motorcycle and car races before the first Indy 500 in 1911.
Soviet hardliners launch a coup against President Mikhail Gorbachev, placing him under house arrest. The August Coup ultimately failed, accelerating the dissolution of the Soviet Union.