1777 – James Cook is first European to visit Kiritimati, also called Christmas Island
1798 – Russia and Britain sign Second anti-French Coalition
1921 – Ottawa’s Harry Broadbent scores in 10-0 Senators blowout of the Montreal Canadiens; first in 16-game NHL record goal-scoring streak; Charlie Simmer’s 13 game streak (1979) is considered modern-day record
1943 – US President FDR appoints General Eisenhower Supreme Commander of the Allied forces
1948 – First US completely solar heated house is occupied (Dover, Mass)
1954 – Laos gains its independence
1960 – Dutch bishops question papacy values
1966 – USAF C144 military charter aircraft crashes near Binh Thai, Vietnam, killing 129
1977 – “Ghost to the Post”, Raiders tight end Dave Casper (“The Ghost”) catches a 42-yard reception to set up the Raiders’ tying field goal near the end of regulation (Raiders win in OT)
2000 – The Texas 7 hold up a sports store in Irving, Texas. Police officer Aubrey Hawkins is shot during the robbery