1558-Smoking tobacco introduced in Europe by Francisco Fernandes
1770-Boston Massacre: British troops kill five in crowd; Crispus Attackus becomes first black to die for American freedom
1807-First performance of Ludwig von Beethoven's 4th Symphony in B
1868-Stapler patented in England
1912-Spanish steamer "Principe de Asturias" sinks northeast of Spain, 500 die
1917-First jazz recording for Victor Records released
1927-1,000 U.S. marines land in China
1933-Germany's Nazi Party wins majority in parliament
1946-Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech
1956-"King Kong" first televised
1964-Emergency crisis proclaimed in Ceylon due to social unrest
1969-Gustav Heinemann elected President of West Germany
1984-U.S. accuse Iraq of using poison gas