Today in History

• International Day for Biological Diversity

• 2016 - Nigeria

Pres. Muhammadu Buhari at the last minute called off a highly advertised two-day visit to Lagos in controversial manner.

• 2015 - Ireland

The Republic of Ireland became the world’s first nation to legalize gay marriage in a public referendum.

• 2014 - Thailand

Thailand's army chief, General Prayut Chan-o-cha seized control of the government in a coup and became the country’s interim leader two days after he declared martial law, following six months of political turmoil. He said the military had to restore order and push through reforms after six months of turmoil.

• 2014 - Nigeria

Many schools closed around the country to protest the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram, the government's failure to rescue them and the killings of scores of teachers by the Islamic extremists.

• 2013 - UK

In the Woolwich area of south London, two men armed with meat cleavers hacked off-duty soldier Lee Rigby (25) to death while horrified bystanders watched. British-born Michael Adebolajo (28) and Michael Adebowale (22) boasted of their exploits and warned of more violence.

• 2012 - Japan

Tokyo Skytree opened to the public. It is the tallest tower in the world (634 m), and the second tallest man-made structure on earth, after Burj Khalifa (829.8 m).

• 2012 - S/africa

South African Pres. Jacob Zuma and his African National Congress sought a court order to have a painting depicting the president's genitals removed from an art gallery, but two men took matters into their own hands by defacing the portrait, titled “The Spear," by Brett Murray which was on display in a gallery.

• 1992 - UN

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia joined the United Nations.