Today in History. Today is Thursday, July 16, the 197th day of 2026. There are 168 days left in the year. Today in History: On July 16, 1945, the United States detonated its first experimental atomic bomb in the desert of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Today in History - What Happened on this Day

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – The European Union’s top official signed an agreement Wednesday to move forward on joint weapons production with Ukraine, saying Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s 4-year-old invasion is a key part of the continent’s defense.

LONDON (AP) – Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that he was leaving the United Kingdom in “better shape than I found it” as he fielded questions, criticism and even a bit of praise from lawmakers in the House of Commons for the last time on Wednesday.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – Israeli airstrikes have killed at least a dozen people in Gaza over the past two days, local health officials said Wednesday, as strikes continue almost daily despite a months-old ceasefire with Hamas. On Wednesday, three members of a family were killed in central Gaza, Al Aqsa Hospital officials said.

Defending champion Argentina rallied to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and reach the World Cup final.

BUNIA, Congo (AP) – The number of confirmed cases of Ebola in Congo has reached 2,011, including 754 deaths, according to government data released overnight in what authorities say is the fastest-growing outbreak on record. Health workers at Bunia General Hospital, the region’s largest medical center, went on strike Wednesday and are the latest group to walk off the job at the epicenter over payment issues.

News Minute - Video of Major World Affairs – July 15