Today in History
Historical Events
Dominica gains independence. The Caribbean Island nation gained its independence from the British after being colonized in 1805.
NASA launches Mariner 10. The last of the Mariner Program, Mariner 10 was the first spacecraft to flyby two planets - Venus and Mercury. The probe flew by Venus on February 5, 1974, and did 3 flybys of Mercury on March 29, 1974, September 21, 1974, and on March 16, 1975, after which communications with the probe were terminated.
Godzilla released. The Japanese science fiction starring a mutated monster of the same name became an instant hit.
John Willis Menard elected to U.S. House of Representatives. He became the first African-American to be elected to the house.
The Times of India founded. The world's largest English-language daily was launched as a bi-weekly as the Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce in Bombay, India.
Famous Births
Born on this day

Dolph Lundgren
1957
Swedish actor

Anna Wintour
1949
English/American journalist, editor

Amartya Sen
1933
Indian economist, Nobel Prize laureate

Bob Feller
1918
American baseball player

John Mitchel
1815
Irish journalist, activist
Famous Deaths
Died on this day

Jean-Bédel Bokassa
1996
Central African politician, 2nd President of the Central African Republic

Wilhelm Reich
1957
Austrian/American psychotherapist

Henri Matisse
1954
French painter

Annie Oakley
1926
American target shooter