On this day... September 26:

On this day...

September 26:  European Day of Languages; Dominion Day in New Zealand (1907) 1493 – Pope Alexander VI issued the papal bullDudum siquidem, the last of the Bulls of Donation, marking the beginning of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. 1687 – The Parthenon (pictured) in Athens was partially destroyed during an armed conflict between the Venetians under Francesco Morosini and Ottoman forces. 1959 – Japan was struck by Typhoon Vera, the strongest and deadliest typhoon on record to make landfall on the country withUS$600 million in damages and over 4,000 deaths. 1968 – The Beatles completed recording John Lennon's song "Happiness Is a Warm Gun", regarded by band members as one of few true "Beatles" songs on the album The Beatles. 1983 – The racing yacht Australia II, captained by John Bertrand, won the America's Cup, ending the New York Yacht Club's 132-year defense of the trophy.