Historical Events
1454
Amerigo Vespucci is born; the Americas are later named after him.
1862
The CSS Virginia (Merrimack) battles the USS Monitor in the first ironclad warship battle.
1916
Pancho Villa raids Columbus, New Mexico, killing 18 Americans.
1945
US bombers launch Operation Meetinghouse, the most destructive bombing raid in history, on Tokyo.
1959
The Barbie doll makes its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City.
Famous Birthdays
1454
Amerigo Vespucci
Italian explorer and navigator after whom the Americas are named.
1749
Count Mirabeau
French revolutionary leader and orator.
1934
Yuri Gagarin
Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human in space on April 12, 1961.
1943
Bobby Fischer
American chess grandmaster and World Chess Champion.
1976
Oscar Isaac
American actor known for Star Wars and Inside Llewyn Davis.
