Antonio Stradivari dies. He was an Italian maker of musical instruments, especially violins.
In 1786 Karl Maria von Weber, German composer, pianist and conductor is born. He is renowned for his opera Der Freischütz.
In 1849 William Bond Cranchi takes the first shot of the Moon through a telescope.
In 1865 the 13th Amendment prohibiting slavery comes into force.
In 1882 German bacteriologist Robert Koch discovers the tuberculosis bacillus.
In 1913, Willy Brandt is born. He became Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In 1941, with German troops besieging Leningrad the most terrible winter in its history set in. The biggest problem was hunger. In order to better withstand it they built an "ice road" across the frozen lake of Ladoško. When the ice was 12 inches thick a special reconnaissance group set out.
In 1947 American film director Steven Allan Spielberg is born.
In 1963 American actor Brad Pitt is born.

In 1970 Slovenian theatre and film actor Stane Sever dies.

MUSIC HISTORY
1961 - The Tokens take the top spot on the American singles chart with 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'.
1982 - Hall and Oates take the No.1 spot on the American singles chart with 'Maneater'.
1993 - Take That is No. 1 on the British singles chart with 'Babe'.
BORN ON THIS DAY
1943 - Keith Richards, member of the The Rolling Stones ('Satisfaction').
1963 – singer Nino de Angelo (1984 'Guardian Angel').
1980 – singer Christina Aguilera (2002 'Beautiful').