Historical Events
106
Trajan assumes his second consulship, marking the height of Roman imperial power.
1521
Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther from the Catholic Church.
1868
The Meiji Restoration begins as Japan abolishes the shogunate.
1959
Alaska is admitted as the 49th US state.
2004
Mars Exploration Rover Spirit lands on Mars.
Famous Birthdays
106
Marcus Aurelius
Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, author of Meditations.
1883
Clement Attlee
British Prime Minister who created the National Health Service.
1892
J.R.R. Tolkien
Author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
1945
Stephen Stills
Musician and co-founder of Crosby, Stills & Nash.
1956
Mel Gibson
Actor and director known for Braveheart and the Lethal Weapon series.
