Today in History

Historical Events

1404 - The Act of Multipliers is passed by the English Parliament forbidding alchemists to use their knowledge to create precious metals (it was feared that if any alchemist should succeed it would bring ruin upon the state)
1874 - US troops land in Honolulu to protect the king
1911 - South Africa cricket team's 1st win over Australia, at Adelaide
1979 - YMCA files libel suit against Village People's "Y.M.C.A." song
1991 - President Mário Soares of Portugal re-elected

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Famous Birthdays

1720 - Richard Hurd, English bishop and writer, born in Congreve, England (d. 1808)
1859 - Karl Bleibtreu, German author (Revolution of Literature), born in Berlin (d. 1928)
1901 - Mieczysław Żywczyński, Polish historian and priest, born in Warsaw, Poland (d. 1978)
1955 - Paul Kelly, Australian singer-songwriter (The Messengers), born in Adelaide, South Australia
1965 - Bill Bailey, British comedian (Black Books, QI), born in bath, England

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Famous Deaths

1049 - Derrick IV, Count of Holland (1039-49), dies in battle
1956 - Lyonel Feininger, German-American cartoonist and painter, dies at 84
1979 - Donny Hathaway, American gospel and soul singer-songwriter, and keyboardist ("The Ghetto";...