1834-Joseph Hansom of London receives patent for Hansom cabs
1852-1st Chinese theater in US, Celestial John, opens in San Francisco
1853-Giacomo Puccini, composer, is born in Italy
1876-Turkey's 1st constitution proclaimed
1888-Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cuts off his left ear
1893-The opera "Hansel und Gretel" is produced (Weimar)
1894-Debussy's ballet "L'apres-midi d'un faune" premieres in Paris
1922-BBC Radio began daily newscasts
1941-American forces on Wake Island surrender to Japanese
1948-Hideki Tojo, Japan PM & 6 other Japanese hanged for war crimes by US
1962-Cuba starts returning US prisoners from the Bay of Pigs invasion
1990-Slovenians vote to secede from Yugoslavia
1997-Woody Allen, 62 weds Soon-Yi Previn 27, adopted daughter of Mia Farrow