Today in History
Historical Events
The Sierra Leone Civil War ends. The conflict had lasted 11 years and left over 50,000 dead.
Børge Ousland becomes the first person to cross Antarctica alone and unaided. The Norwegian polar explorer walked 3000 km (1864 miles) across the Earth's southernmost continent.
Insurgents in the Warsaw Ghetto take up arms against the German oppressors. This lead to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the largest single revolt by Jews during World War II.
The Paris Peace Conference opens. The aim of the conference was to set the peace terms after World War I, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
Modern hockey is born. The foundation of The Hockey Association in England formalized a modern version of the game that had already been played in ancient times.
Famous Births
Born on this day

Kevin Costner
1955
American actor, singer, director, producer

Danny Kaye
1913
American actor

Oliver Hardy
1892
American comedian, actor

A. A. Milne
1882
English author

Montesquieu
1689
French philosopher
Famous Deaths
Died on this day

Sargent Shriver
2011
American politician, 21st United States Ambassador to France

Konstantin Päts
1956
Estonian politician, 1st President of Estonia

Curly Howard
1952
American actor, comedian

Rudyard Kipling
1936
English author, poet, Nobel Prize laureate

John Tyler
1862
American lawyer, politician, 10th President of the United States