1775-British Parliament declares Massachusetts Colony in rebellion
1897-Invasion of Benin City by British Expeditionary Force; the city is burned and looted, ending the Nigerian Kingdom of Benin formed in the 11th century
1904-Japanese torpedo boats launch a surprise attack on Russian ships at the Port Arthur naval base in Manchuria, beginning the Russo-Japanese War. Japanese troops also land at Jemulpo (Incheon), near Seoul, Korea; in three weeks, they advance to the Yalu River, the border of Manchuria.
1943-Japanese troops evacuate Guadalcanal, ending the epic World War II battle on the Solomon Islands in the Pacific
1972-British government declares a state of emergency after a month-long coal miners' strike
1986-Halley's Comet reaches 30th perihelion (closest approach to Sun)
1997- Fox cartoon series "The Simpsons" airs 167th episode; longest-running animated series in cartoon history