On This Day

• 2011 South Sudan becomes the youngest country in the world

  The North East African country, formally known as Republic of South Sudan peacefully seceded from Sudan after an independence referendum was passed. Since independence, however, the country has been wrecked with widespread ethnic violence and human rights violations.

• 1981 Donkey Kong is released by Nintendo

  Nintendo’s famous character Mario debuted as Jumpman in this popular arcade game.

• 1962 Andy Warhol’s iconic Campbell’s Soup Cans make their debut

  The Soup Cans were first displayed at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles, California, and were instrumental in popularizing Pop Art in the United States.

• 1958 Lituya Bay megatsunami

  A megatsunami, a tsunami whose waves are higher than a normal tsunami, hit Lituya Bay in Alaska, United States, resulting in a wave that was recorded to be 1,720 feet or 516 meters high. This is the highest wave recorded in history.

• 1877 The first Wimbledon Championship is held

  The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London hosted the first Wimbledon championship, which was not only the first tennis championship held in England but was also a precursor to grand slam tournaments. 22 men competed in the championship and Spencer Gore became the first person to win the Wimbledon tournament.