1999 The Euro became the official currency in 11 European countries

1994 The implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement

1993 Czechoslovakia was divided into two independent states

1959 Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista ousted by Castro-led revolution

1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation

1808 The slave trade became illegal when the United States enacted a law banning the importation of slaves

1804 Haiti declared its independence from France

1945 International Monetary Fund was formally established by 29 member countries

1835 The Treaty of New Echota was signed between the United States Government and representatives of a minority Cherokee Political Faction

2002 The Legislative Assembly appointed Eduardo Duhalde as interim President of Argentina

1990 Panamanian dictator Noriega surrendered to the United States

2003 The Spirit Rover was launched by NASA to start the Mars Exploration Rover mission

1963 President John F. Kennedy signed the United States Equal Pay Act into law

1921 The Communist Party of China (CPC) was formed, and Chen Duxiu was elected its leader

1940 Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister, replacing Neville Chamberlain

1974 President Richard Nixon signed the national speed limit into law

1901 Guglielmo Marconi sent and received the first wireless message across the Atlantic Ocean

1945 The United Nations was officially established