1808-Jan-01 The slave trade became illegal when the United States enacted a law banning the importation of slaves
1956-Mar-03 Dutch swimmer Cockie Gastelaars broke two decades' world record for 100m freestyle
1964-Jun-12 Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison
1963-Jun-10 President John F. Kennedy signed the United States Equal Pay Act into law
1945-Oct-24 The United Nations was officially established
1924-Jan-25 The first Winter Olympic Games opened in Chamonix, France
1924-Dec-30 Astronomer Edwin Hubble formally announced that the Milky Way is just one of many galaxies in the universe
1973-Oct-20 Queen Elizabeth II opened the Sydney Opera House
1959-Jan-01 Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista ousted by Castro-led revolution
1917-Apr-02 President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany
1993-Jan-01 Czechoslovakia was divided into two independent states
1863-Jan-01 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation
1932-Dec-27 Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City
1996-Mar-17 Sri Lanka won the Cricket World Cup
1999-Jan-01 The Euro became the official currency in 11 European countries
