1724 – Tumult of Thorn – religious unrest was followed by the execution of nine Protestant citizens and the mayor of Thorn (Toruń) by Polish authorities.
1732 – The Royal Opera House opens at Covent Garden, London.
1872 – HMS Challenger sets sail on 3½ year world oceanographic cruise
1924 – German election (Social Democrats win, Nazis and Communists lose)
1956 – American diver Pat McCormick wraps up the women’s double when she wins the 10m platform gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics with 84.85 points; also won the 3m springboard gold
1975 – Romanian tennis star Ilie Năstase wins his 4th season-ending ATP Masters Grand Prix title with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 rout of Björn Borg of Sweden in Stockholm
1976 – UN Security Council endorses Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General for second 5 year term
1983 – France performs nuclear test at Mururoa atoll
1995 – NBA settles strike of referees, refs to return on Dec 12
1996 – 1st Big 12 Championship Game: Texas beats #3 Nebraska, 37-27