1981 – U.S. President Ronald Reagan is shot
A lone gunman opened fire outside a hotel in Washington D.C. The mentally ill assassin claimed his only motive was to become famous.
1976 – Thousands of Palestinians protest against Israel's massive land expropriation
In the event, which is annually commemorated on Land Day, 6 protesters were killed and scores injured by Israeli police.
1964 – Jeopardy! is aired for the first time
The program, which is still on the air today, is one of the world's most popular game shows.
1867 – The United States buys Alaska from Russia
The territory at the north-western tip of North America cost only $7.2 million.
1865 – The Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the Crimean War
Russia lost the war to a coalition of the Ottoman Empire, France, Britain, and Sardinia.
1968 – Celine Dion
Canadian singer-songwriter
1962 – MC Hammer
American rapper, actor
1945 – Eric Clapton
English singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer
1853 – Vincent van Gogh
Dutch painter
1432 – Mehmed the Conqueror
Ottoman sultan
2002 – Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
1986 – James Cagney
American actor
1984 – Karl Rahner
German theologian
1925 – Rudolf Steiner
Austrian philosopher, educator
1912 – Karl May
German author
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