Facebook is founded. The social networking service currently has over 1 billion active users.

Ceylon (Sri Lanka) proclaims independence within the British Commonwealth. Since the 16th century, the island had been colonized by Portugal, the Netherlands, and Great Britain.

The Confederate States of America are established. 6 slave states met in Montgomery, Alabama to form the Confederacy, which lasted only until 1865.

German archeologist Constantin von Tischendorf discovers the Codex Sinaiticus. The “Sinai Bible”, a handwritten copy of the Greek Bible, is considered a great historical treasure.

George Washington is elected as first President of the United States. Washington took office on April 30, 1789.