Historical Events
1843 – 1st time African-Americans participate in a national political convention (Liberty Party)
1918 – Czechoslovakia forms independent republic
1954 – Hurricane Carol kills 68 on the US East Coast
1983 – 8th NASA Space Shuttle Mission: Challenger 3 launches for a 6-day excursion
1986 – Soviet authorities arrested Nicholas Daniloff (US News World Report)
1987 – Yves Pol of France runs complete marathon backwards (3:57:57)
Famous Birthdays
1809 – Adolf Friedrich Hesse, German composer, born in Wrocław, Poland (d. 1863)
1913 – Thomas F. Torrance, Scottish Protestant theologist, born in Chengdu, Sichuan, China (d. 2007)
1918 – Ted Williams, American Baseball HOF outfielder (last player to bat over .400 in single season; 19 x MLB All Star; AL MVP 1946, 49; Triple Crown 1942, 47 Boston Red Sox), born in San Diego, California (d. 2002)
1921 – Angelo Dundee, American boxing trainer and cornerman (Muhammad Ali 1960–81 and 15 other world boxing champions), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2012)
1963 – Paul Oakenfold, British record producer and DJ, born in Mile End, London
1966 – Michael Michele, American actress (Nikki-Central Park West), born in Evansville, Indiana
Famous Deaths
1580 – Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy (1553-80, regained lands of Savoy), dies at 52
1981 – Vera-Ellen [Westmeier Rohe], American actress and dancer (White Christmas; Big Leaguer; On the Town), dies of cancer at 60
1984 – Wesley Lau, American actor (Lt Anderson-Perry Mason), dies at 63
1989 – Joe Collins, American baseball first baseman (World Series 1949–53, 56; New York Yankees), dies at 66
2007 – Charles Vanik, American politician (Rep-D-Ohio 1955-81), dies at 94
2008 – Tommy Bolt, American golfer (US Open 1958), dies at 92