406-"The Great Invasion" sees a vast horde of Vandals, Alans, and Suebians cross the Rhine at Mainz, beginning the invasion of Gallia
1703-Genroku earthquake off the coast of Japan, near Edo (modern-day Tokyo), kills thousands and triggers a large tsunami, killing thousands more
1744-English astronomer James Bradley announces the discovery of Earth's nutation, or wobble
1775-Battle of Quebec: American Continental Army led by Richard Montgomery is defeated trying to take the British stronghold of Quebec City in the American Revolutionary War, General Montgomery is killed and Benedict Arnold is injured
1861-A world record 22,990 mm of rain falls in a single year in Cherrapunji, Assam, India
1958-Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista informs his cabinet he is fleeing the country
1981-CNN Headline News cable TV channel debuts in U.S.