1814 Innovation of the steam locomotive (engine)

1993 Czechoslovakia was divided into two independent states

1994 The implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement

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

1999 The Euro became the official currency in 11 European countries

1804 Haiti declared its independence from France

1996 Sri Lanka won the Cricket World Cup

1926 John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of a live television system

1876 Innovation of the telephone

1895 German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-Rays

1990 Panamanian dictator Noriega surrendered to the United States

1974 President Richard Nixon signed the national speed limit into law

1940 Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister, replacing Neville Chamberlain

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

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