1453 – Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire falls to the Turks under Muhammad II; ends the Byzantine Empire
1790 – Rhode Island becomes last of original 13 colonies ratifying US Constitution
1940 – In WWII, Germans capture Ostend and Ypres in Belgium and Lille in France
1949 – 1st British Film and Television Awards (BAFTAS): “The Best Years of Our Lives” Best Film
1968 – 12th European Cup: Manchester United beats Benfica 4-1 at London
1972 – The Official IRA announce a ceasefire
1977 – NBC News and Information Service (24 hr news) ends on radio
1979 – Radio’s 1st rock network “Source” premieres
1997 – 70th National Spelling Bee: Rebecca Sealfon wins spelling euonym
1999 – Olusegun Obasanjo takes office as President of Nigeria, the first elected and civilian head of state in Nigeria after 16 years of military rule