SortStack #730 — 2028-06-08
By year · Order from earliest to most recent.
- England defeats the Spanish Armada 1588
Storms did more damage than English guns — far more Spanish ships wrecked on the coasts of Scotland and Ireland than were sunk in battle.
- Parisians storm the Bastille fortress, igniting the French Revolution 1789
The dreaded fortress held just seven prisoners that day — including two men deemed insane. Its demolition stones were sold as souvenirs.
- Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space 1961
His single orbit lasted 108 minutes, and he parachuted to the ground separately from his capsule — landing in a field where a farmer and her granddaughter stared in disbelief.
- The Sydney Opera House officially opens 1973
It opened ten years late and roughly fourteen times over budget. Architect Jorn Utzon resigned mid-project and never returned to see it finished.
- The Berlin Wall falls 1989
A flustered official misread new travel rules at a press conference, saying they took effect 'immediately.' Crowds swamped the checkpoints within hours.
- The Burj Khalifa opens in Dubai as the world's tallest building 2010
At 828 meters, its tip can be seen from about 95 km away — and people on the top floors can watch the sunset minutes after it sets at ground level.