EVENTS
- 1789 – George Washington sends the Bill of Rights to the States for ratification.
- 1835 – Battle of Gonzales. The first military engagement of the Texas War of Independence, the Battle of Gonzales, occurred on this day between Texas rebels and Mexican troops. This battle marked the beginning of Texas’ War of Independence, which resulted in the establishment of the Republic of Texas.
- 1919 – US President Woodrow Wilson is partially paralyzed after suffering a massive stroke.
- 1924 – The Geneva Protocol is adopted by the League of Nations.
- 1935 – Mussolini’s Italian troops invaded Abyssinia, beginning an occupation lasting until 1941.
- 1950 – The comic strip ‘Peanuts’ by Charles M. Schulz is first published
- 1958 – Guinea declares independence. Guinea declared its independence from France.
- 1967 – Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993) was sworn in as the first African-American associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He served until 1991 and was known for opposing discrimination and the death penalty, and for championing free speech and civil liberties.
- 1968 – California’s Redwood National Park was established. Redwoods are the tallest of all trees, growing up to 400 feet (120 meters) during a lifetime that can span 2,000 years.
- 1975 – Japanese Emperor Hirohito made his first-ever visit to the White House.
- 1992 – Carandiru massacre. A prison riot in Carandiru Penitentiary, Brazil, led to the killing of over 100 inmates by the police.
- 2002 – Beltway sniper attacks begin. A series of coordinated sniper attacks occurred in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The attacks lasted 3 weeks and resulted in the killing of 10 people.
BIRTHDAYS
- 1869 – Mahatma Ghandi (Indian Civil Rights Leader)
- 1871 – American statesman Cordell Hull (1871-1955) was born in Pickett County, Tennessee (He served in both houses of Congress, as Secretary of State, and was instrumental in the establishment of the United Nations.
- 1890 – Groucho Marx (American comedian, actor)
- 1904 – Graham Greene (English author, playwright, critic)
- 1948 – Donna Karan (Designer)
- 1949 – Annie Leibovitz (American photographer)
- 1951 – Sting (Lead Singer Police)
- 1966 – Yokozuna (American wrestler)
- 1968 – Glen Wesley (NHL Player)
- 1970 – Kelly Rippa (TV Star)
- 1971 – Tiffany (Singer)
- 1974 – Paul Teutul Jr (American Chopper Actor)
DEATHS
- 1803 – Samuel Adams (American politician, 4th Governor of Massachusetts)
- 1968 – Marcel Duchamp (French painter)
- 1973 – Paavo Nurmi (Finnish runner)
- 1985 – Rock Hudson (American actor)
- 2015 – Brian Friel (Irish author, playwright, director)