1924 Astronomer Edwin Hubble formally announced that the Milky Way is just one of many galaxies in the universe

1956 Dutch swimmer Cockie Gastelaars broke two decades' world record for 100m freestyle

1836 Spain recognized the independence of Mexico by signing the Santa María–Calatrava Treaty

1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation

1945 International Monetary Fund was formally established by 29 member countries

1964 Kenya became a republic

1940 Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister, replacing Neville Chamberlain

1767 King Taksin was crowned King of Thailand (Siam)

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

1974 President Richard Nixon signed the national speed limit into law

1945 The United Nations was officially established

1996 Sri Lanka won the Cricket World Cup

1993 Czechoslovakia was divided into two independent states

1932 Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City

1807 Innovation of the steamboat