1783 – Spain recognizes US independence
1923 – The Alpha Zeta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia founded at Pennsylvania State University.
1924 – Alexei Ryko elected as President of People’s commission (succeeds Lenin)
1932 – “Shanghai Express” directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Marlene Dietrich, Clive Brook and Anna Mae Wong premieres in Los Angeles
1956 – Toni Sailer of Austria wins the downhill at the Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics; becomes first athlete to sweep all 3 alpine skiing events in a single Olympics
1965 – Orbiting Solar Observatory 2 launches into Earth orbit (552/636 km)
1967 – “Purple Haze” recorded by Jimi Hendrix
1982 – Columbia Shuttle moves to Vandenberg AFB for mating for STS-3 mission
1989 – Military coup overthrows Alfredo Stroessner, dictator of Paraguay
1990 – Jockey Bill Shoemaker (58), retires after 40,350 horse race