1456 — Earthquake strikes Naples; about 35,000 die
1492 — Columbus discovers Hispaniola (El Espanola/Haiti)
1846 — C F Schoenbein obtains patent for cellulose nitrate explosive
1854 — Aaron Allen of Boston patents folding theater chair
1893 — First electric car (built in Toronto) could go 15 miles between charges
1908 — First football uniform numerals used (University of Pittsburgh)
1932 — German physicist Albert Einstein granted a visa
1935 — First commercial hydroponics operation established (Montebello CA)
1936 — Armenian SSR, Azerbaijan SSR, Georgian SSR, Kazakhstan SSR & Kirghiz SSR becomes constituent republics of the Soviet Union
1941 — Russian anti offensive in Moscow drives out nazi army
1946 — President Truman creates Committee on Civil Rights by Executive Order #9808
1950 — Sikkim becomes a protectorate of India
1952 — London smog of 1952 - worst smog in London ever, 4,000+ die
1957 — NYC becomes 1st city to legislate against racial or religious discrimination in housing market (Fair Housing Practices Law)
1977 — Egypt breaks diplomatic relations with Syria, Libya, Algeria, Iraq & South Yemen
1978 — European Union establishes EMS, European Monetary System
1991 — New York Daily News files for protection under chapter 11