This Day in History: September 6

3114 BC The beginning of the Maya/Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar according to the Julian Calendar

The Maya or Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar commences its count from this date, aligning with the Julian Calendar.

1522 Ferdinand Magellan's Spanish expedition completes first circumnavigation of the earth

Although their captain, Ferdinand Magellan lost his life in the expedition, the crew aboard the Vitoria returns to Spain, accomplishing the first circumnavigation of the earth.

1666 The Great Fire of London is extinguished

Finally, after raging on for four days causing extensive damage including the destruction of St Paul's Cathedral, The Great Fire of London is put out on this day.

1901 Assassination of US President William McKinley

During his visit to the Pan-American Exposition in New York, U.S. President William McKinley is shot by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist, making him the third sitting American president to be assassinated.

1909Robert Peary reaches the North Pole

The New York Times makes a crucial announcement - American explorer Robert Peary had discovered the North Pole five months prior to the revelation.

1914 First Battle of the Marne begins

Marking a significant turn in World War I, French and British forces halt German encroachment towards Paris in the First Battle of the Marne, which lasts until September 12th.

1916 The inception of the "Piggly Wiggly", the first true supermarket

In Memphis, Tennessee, Clarence Saunders opens the first true supermarket, the "Piggly Wiggly". This marks a defining moment in the history of retail shopping.

2007 Israel's military action: Operation Orchard

The Israeli Air Force undertakes a military operation, Operation Orchard, with the sole purpose of destroying a suspected nuclear reactor in the Deir el-Zor region of Syria.

1999 The Suai Church Massacre

Following the release of the independence referendum results, more than 200 East Timorese found refuge in a church in Suai. However, they were tragically killed by pro-Indonesia militia.

1968 Swaziland gains independence from British rule

The protectorate of the British empire since 1902, Swaziland becomes an independent nation on this day. King Sobhuza reigned over the nation post-independence until 1982, after which his son, Mswati III, took over.

1870 The first voting of a woman in the US

Louisa Ann Swain makes history by being the first woman to cast a vote in the US during the state elections in Wyoming. Although Wyoming governor John A. Campbell allowed women's suffrage in 1869, women could only vote at local and state level and did not get nationwide voting rights until 1920.

1522 The Spanish ship Victoria becomes the first to circumnavigate the Earth

Commanded by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the Spanish ship Victoria embarked on a journey from Spain on September 20, 1519, to find a better route to Indonesia. Despite the loss of Magellan during the voyage, Victoria and its remaining Crew of 18 made a successful return to Seville, Spain, becoming the first ship to have circumnavigated the world.