In 1657, the Great Fire of Meireki devastated Edo, the capital of Japan, destroying 60–70% of the city and killing an estimated 100,000 people.
In 1717, The Loves of Mars and Venus was staged as the first ballet performance in England, marking an important milestone in the country’s theatrical and dance history.
In 1796, Napoleon Bonaparte was appointed commander-in-chief of the French forces in Italy, a pivotal moment in his military career.
In 1861, the Government Printing Office established its first printing plant in Washington, D.C.
In 1866, the first American company to manufacture sewing needles using machines was founded in Connecticut.
In 1872, Louis Riel voluntarily went into exile in St. Paul, Minnesota, seeking refuge amid political tensions in Canada.
In 1890, Norwegian speed skater Oskar Frederiksen set the first official 5,000 meter world record with a time of 9:19.8 in Stockholm, Sweden.
In 1933, the film King Kong, directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack and starring Fay Wray, premiered at Radio City Music Hall and the RKO Roxy in New York City.
In 1933, the magnitude 8.4 Sanriku earthquake struck Japan, generating a devastating tsunami and being the most powerful earthquake to hit the country in 180 years.
In 1962, Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record by scoring 100 points in a single game, leading his team to a 169-147 win over the New York Knicks in Hershey. He made 36 of 63 shots from the field and 28 of 32 from the free-throw line.
In 1972, American jockey Bill Shoemaker aboard Royal Owl in the San Jacinto Stakes at Santa Anita set a new record with his 555th stakes race win, surpassing Eddie Arcaro’s previous record of 554 wins.
In 1986, Finnish right wing Jari Kurri of the Edmonton Oilers scored twice, including the overtime winner, to secure a 2-1 win over Philadelphia. This performance marked his fourth consecutive NHL season with 100 points.
In 1988, the 30th Grammy Awards honored Paul Simon’s Graceland as Record of the Year, U2’s The Joshua Tree as Album of the Year, and Jody Watley as Best New Artist.
In 1992, at the US Swimming Championships in Indianapolis, American swimmer Anita Noll set two new world records in the 200 m breaststroke on the same day, eventually making it to the final with a time of 2:25.35.
At the 2000 America’s Cup in Auckland, Team New Zealand won the series 5-0, beating the Italian yacht Prada Challenge by 0.48 seconds. New Zealand became the second country in 150 years to successfully defend the prestigious title.
