1640 — Portugal regains independence after 60 years of Spanish rule
1641 — Massachusetts becomes first colony to give statutory recognition to slavery
1821 — Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) proclaims independence from Spain
1878 — First White House telephone installed
1887 — Sino-Portuguese treaty recognizes Portugal's control of Macao
1906 — Cinema Omnia Pathe, world's first cinema, opens (Paris)
1913 — First drive-up gasoline station opens (Pittsburgh)
1918 — Danish parliament passed an act to grant Iceland independence
1959 — 12 nations sign a treaty for scientific peaceful use of Antarctica
1984 — France performs nuclear test
1986 — Musée d'orsay opens in Paris
1987 — Digging begins to link England & France under the English Channel
1989 — East Germany drops the communist monopoly from its constitution
1991 — AIDS awareness day
1991 — Ukranian people vote for independence
1994 — Rober Schumanns second Symphony premieres in London