Today in history, Kublai Khan, the conqueror of Asia, dies at the age of 80 in 1294.
Today in history, Alexander Selkirk, the Scottish seaman whose adventures inspired the creation of Daniel Dafoe’s Robinson Crusoe, is taken off Juan Fernandez Island after more than four years of living there alone in 1709.
Today in history, Chile gains independence from Spain in 1818.
Today in history, Mexican General Santa Anna crosses the Rio Grande en route to the Alamo in 1836.
Today in history, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is formed in 1909.
Today in history, China becomes a republic following the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty in 1912.
Today in history, George Gershwin’s groundbreaking symphonic jazz composition Rhapsody in Blue premieres with Gershwin himself playing the piano with Paul Whiteman’s orchestra in 1924.
Today in history, Japan makes its first television broadcast–a baseball game in 1931.
Today in history, The South Vietnamese win two big battles in the Mekong Delta in 1966.
Today in history, The U.S. Senate fails to pass two articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton. He had been accused of perjury and obstruction of justice by the House of Representatives in 1999.
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