1863-Jan-01 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation
1903-Nov-06 The USA recognized the independence of Panama
1940-May-10 Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister, replacing Neville Chamberlain
1836-Dec-28 Spain recognized the independence of Mexico by signing the Santa María–Calatrava Treaty
1993-Jan-01 Czechoslovakia was divided into two independent states
1814-Jul-25 Innovation of the steam locomotive (engine)
1959-Jan-01 Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista ousted by Castro-led revolution
1965-Aug-06 United States President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law
1924-Dec-30 Astronomer Edwin Hubble formally announced that the Milky Way is just one of many galaxies in the universe
1956-Mar-03 Dutch swimmer Cockie Gastelaars broke two decades' world record for 100m freestyle
1767-Dec-28 King Taksin was crowned King of Thailand (Siam)
1808-Jan-01 The slave trade became illegal when the United States enacted a law banning the importation of slaves
1974-Jan-02 President Richard Nixon signed the national speed limit into law
1921-Jul-01 The Communist Party of China (CPC) was formed, and Chen Duxiu was elected its leader