, between Darlington and Stockton in England the first railway line in the world is put into operation. On the first run the train, which was pulled by a steam locomotive, was driven by the inventor himself George Stephenson
In 1904 Slovenian poet, writer, translator and essayist Edvard Kocbek is born. He is considered one of the best Slovene poets after France Prešeren.

In 1917 French artist Edgar Degas died. He was famous for his paintings, sculptures and drawings of the subjects of dance.
In 1940 in Berlin the Triple Pact is signed between the German Reich, Italy and Japan, also known as the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo. It was a pact through which they wanted to prevent the entry of the United States into the war.

In 1974 American actress Gwyneth Paltrow is born.

In 1996 Slovenian philosopher, anthropologist, psychologist and theologian Dr. Anton Trstenjak dies.
MUSIC HISTORY
1968 – In the No.1 spot on the American and British singles charts is Mary Hopkins with the song 'Those Were The Days'.
1980 – David Bowie is at the top of the UK charts with his album 'Scary Monsters And Supercreeps'. The album featured the singles 'Ashes to Ashes and 'Fashion'.
1986 – The best sold album of the year is 'Dancing On The Ceiling' by Lionel Richie.
1986 - The Beatles' 'Twist and Shout' re-entered the US singles chart over 25 years after it first appeared.
1998 - The Manic Street Preachers is at the top of the UK charts with their album 'This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours'.
BORN ON THIS DAY
1947 – American singer Marvin Lee Aday, better known as Meat Loaf (1993 'I'd Do Anything For Love But I Won't Do That').
1984 – Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne ("Complicated").