Danish astronomer and mathematician Ole Christensen Romer dies. He made the first quantitative measurements of the speed of light. He also invented the first street lights in Copenhagen, and the meridian circle.
In 1783 the Montgolfier brothers safely lifted off in a hot air balloon with their first passengers.
In 1941 the Nazis gave the order that all Jews must wear the Star of David.
In 1943, the Prešeren partisan brigade, who were the armed wing of the pro-Allies Liberation Front of the Slovene People, beat pro-Axis White Guard soldiers and almost completely destroy Turjak castle.
In 1955, after an uprising by the infantry and navy, Juan Peron had to leave Argentina. In 1973 he returned to his homeland, and then became president of the country.
In 1975, in Maribor the establishment of the University of Maribor is officially announced.
In 1991 German tourists walking on the Similaun glacier in Tirol's Ötztal Alps near the Italian-Austrian border came across the frozen body of a human. It was later proven that the body dated from about 3.300 years BC and as such is the oldest known mummified human body. The man, who was named Ötzi, was frozen while crossing the Alps. He was discovered by Helmut and Erika Simon, German ramblers from Nurnberg.
MUSIC HISTORY
1960 - Chubby Checker excites America with his 'The Twist'.
1969 - Creedence Clearwater Revival is at the top of the British charts with 'Bad Moon Rising'.
1970 - Diana Ross takes the No. 1 spot on the American charts with the song 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'.
1998 - Robbie Williams is at the top of the British singles chart with 'Millennium'.
BORN ON THIS DAY
1931 - Singer Brook Benton (1979 'Rainy Night In Georgia').
1940 - Bill Medley, also singer in The Righteous Brothers (1965 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin').
1943 - Cass Elliott, singer with Mamas and the Papas (1966 'Monday Monday').
1963 - Jarvis Cocker, singer in the group Pulp (1995 'Common People').