Historical Events
1756 – Frederick II of Prussia leads an Anglo-Prussian alliance into Saxony, beginning the Seven Years’ War
1862 – US Bureau of Engraving and Printing begins operation
1932 – United Cigar Stores shuts 800 shops
2003 – Skype Technologies releases its pioneering video-conferencing software
2013 – Actor Gary Sinise is named an honorary Marine by the Commandant of the Marine Corps
Famous Birthdays
1891 – Michael Chekhov, Russian-American actor (Abie’s Irish Rose, Rhapsody), born in Saint Petersburg, Russia (d. 1955)
1905 – Lan Adomián, Russian-American-Mexican composer, and Spanish Civil War fighter (Lincoln Brigade), born in Moghiler-Podolsk, Russia (d. 1979)
1915 – Nathan Pritikin, American nutritionist and inventor, born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1985)
1920 – Charles White, American actor (Airport 95, Serpico), born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey (d. 2005)
1928 – Charles Gray, British actor (Clay-Rawhide, Diamonds Are Forever, The Rocky Horror Picture Show), born in Bournemouth, Hampshire (d. 2000)
Famous Deaths
1093 – Hugh I, Duke of Burgundy (b. 1057)
1910 – Johan Eilerts de Haan, Dutch naval officer and explorer (Lucie River, Suriname), dies, likely due to malaria, at 44
1960 – Hazza el-Majali, Prime Minister of Jordan is assassinated
1975 – Éamon de Valera, Irish republican politician and President of Ireland (1937-48, 51-54, 57-59), dies at 92
2016 – Gene Wilder [Jerome Silberman], American actor (Blazing Saddles; Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; Silver Streak; Young Frankenstein), dies at 83