1861 -- Texas secedes from the United States for the first time.
1790 -- The oft-debated and controversial United States Supreme Court first convenes.
1995 -- Eileen Collins successfully pilots the Space Shuttle, putting a merciful stop to woman driver jokes.
1861 -- Founding of the Confederate States of America, which would exist for four years by that name.
1985 -- Third Punic War finally ends, having lasted over two millenia.
1833 -- France, Russia, and the United Kingdom prop up Greece with a series of bailout loans and management imported from Bavaria.
1935 -- The game Monopoly is created, soon to become a successful and enduring pro-capitalism indoctrination reinforcement activity.
1950 -- East German Stasi is formed, which would become a benchmark for comparison of all future security and intelligence services.
1775 -- British Parliament declares Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. Showing unusual restraint, Massachusetts chooses not to disagree on principle.
1996 -- The computer Deep Blue wins a chess game against world champion Garry Kasparov. The machine is quickly dismantled to preserve its primacy before a rematch can be held, proving another advantage over any human opponent.
1942 -- The first gold record is awarded, and is promptly scratched.
1999 -- U.S. President Bill Clinton successfully finishes the impeachment process, with all parts accounted for.
1961 -- The Coso artifact, proof of ancient automobiles, is discovered.
1779 -- Captain Cook's goose is cooked, followed by himself.
1971 -- The United Kingdom and Ireland convert to a decimal currency, after 147 years of resistance.
1874 -- Silver reduces enough in value that it is used as U.S. legal tender.
1965 -- Ranger 8 probe launches to the Moon, its mission being to scope out sites suitable for U.S. occupation.
1930 -- The astronomical object known as Pluto is discovered lurking in the background of several night-sky photographs.
1861 -- Russia emancipates privately-owned serfs, in an attempt to move closer to European-style capitalism.
1971 -- Real U.S. Emergency Broadcast System alert message is accidentally sent at the usual test time. It is largely ignored, leading to the proposal of a new law prohibiting actual emergencies at that hour of the day.
1878 -- First telephone directory issued, consisting of one page.
1819 -- Agreement signed for the U.S. to acquire Florida from Spain, in exchange for a legal bailout.
1455 -- Publication of the Gutenberg Bible as a proof of concept.
1942 -- Anti-aircraft guns save Los Angeles from a possible UFO attack.
1947 -- Prussia is consigned to history books until further notice.
1815 -- Napoleon Bonaparte emerges for a final tour, before being forced into retirement once again.
1700 -- The western Pacific island of New Britain is discovered and named as a backup.
1933 -- Germany turns the previous day's government building fire into an opportunity to experiment with diverse concepts of authoritarian rule.
