1204 _ Crusaders occupy Constantinople
1668 _ John Dryden (36) becomes first English poet laureate
1742 _ George Frederic Hendel's ``Messiah" performed for first time (Dublin)
1924 _ Greek plebiscite for a republic
1941 _ Russian-Japan no-attack treaty goes into effect
1943 _ Nazi's discover mass grave of Polish officers near Katyn
1961 _ U.N. General Assembly condemns South Africa for apartheid
1964 _ Sidney Poitier becomes first black man to win Oscar for best actor
1981 _ Washington Post's Janet Cooke wins Pulitzer Prize for ``Jimmy's World" (later admits story was a hoax and returns prize)
1992 _ Nelson Mandela announces he will seek divorce from Winnie