1516 – Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria endorses “The German Beer Purity Law” (Reinheitsgebot) and adds to it standards for the sale of beer
1597 – William Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” is first performed, with Queen Elizabeth I of England in attendance
1705 – Richard Steele’s “Tender Husband” premieres in London
1838 – English steamship “Great Western” crossing Atlantic docks in NYC
1861 – Robert E. Lee named commander of Virginia Confederate forces (US Civil War)
1891 – Jews are expelled from Moscow, Russia
1949 – Chinese Red army conquers Nanjing
1964 – James Baldwin’s play “Blues for Mr Charlie” premieres in NYC
1965 – Launch of 1st Soviet communications satellite
1991 – USSR grants republics right to secede under certain conditions