Historical Events
79
Mount Vesuvius erupts, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum.
410
Visigoths sack Rome for the first time in 800 years.
1814
British troops burn the US Capitol and White House during the War of 1812.
1932
Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly solo across the US.
1992
Hurricane Andrew makes landfall in Florida, causing $25 billion in damage.
Famous Birthdays
1759
William Wilberforce
British politician who led the movement to abolish the slave trade.
1850
Roberto Calderón Gutiérrez
Nicaraguan Roman Catholic bishop.
1899
Jorge Luis Borges
Argentine author known for his short stories blending reality and fantasy.
1958
Steve Guttenberg
American actor known for Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby.
1960
Cal Ripken Jr.
American baseball player known as the Iron Man for his consecutive games record.
