Events, Births and Deaths Happening on this Date

1832

The first streetcar - a horse-drawn vehicle called the John Mason - went into operation in New York City.

1851

Herman Melville's novel ''Moby Dick'' was published.

1881

Charles J. Guiteau went on trial for assassinating President Garfield.

1889

Inspired by Jules Verne, New York World reporter Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane) set out to travel around the world in less than 80 days. She succeeded, making the trip in 72 days.

1922

The British Broadcasting Corp. began its domestic radio service.

1935

President Roosevelt proclaimed the Philippine Islands a free commonwealth.

1940

German bombers devastate the British industrial city of Coventry, demolishing 27 war factories and tens of thousands of other buildings killing hundreds of men, women, and children.

1969

NASA launches Apollo 12, the second lunar landing mission and the first mission to make a pinpoint landing on the moon.

1972

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 1,000 for the first time, ending the day at 1,003.16.

1973

The value of gold dramatically decreased on the London market. This occurrence happened in reaction to the decision made by the United States and Europe to do away with the two-tier gold standard. Investors lost millions of dollars as a result.

1973

Princess Anne, married Captain Mark Phillips in Westminster Abbey . The marriage ceremony was televised around the world with an estimated 100 million viewers. (The couple divorced in 1992)

1982

Lech Walesa, leader of communist Poland's outlawed Solidarity movement, returns to his apartment in Gdansk after 11 months of internment in a remote hunting lodge near the Soviet border

1995

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers were sent home as the budget deadlock between President Clinton and the Republican Congress. This closed national parks and museums while government offices operated with skeleton crews.

1840

Claude Monet, French painter

1889

Jawaharlal Nehru, Indian nationalist leader

1900

Composer Aaron Copland was born in New York City.

1935

King Hussein, king of Jordan

1948

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales

1996

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, leader of Chicago's 2.3 million Catholics, died at age 68.