1871 – General Dutch Werkliedenverbond (ANWV) forms in Utrecht
1890 – Germany’s anti-socialist laws lapse
1953 – Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine sets a World Series record with 14 strikeouts in a 3-2 Game 3 win against the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn
1960 – Nigeria gains independence from the United Kingdom and becomes the 99th member of the United Nations
1979 – The US returns the Canal Zone (but not the canal) to Panama after 75 years
1979 – Shehu Shagari becomes the first and only President of Nigeria’s Second Republic
1989 – Thousands of East Germans flee to West Germany
2000 – NBA stars Ray Allen and Vince Carter each score 13 points as the US beats France 85-75 to win the men’s basketball gold medal at the Sydney Olympics