Historical Events
1152
Eleanor of Aquitaine marries the future King Henry II of England.
1804
Napoleon Bonaparte is proclaimed Emperor of France.
1896
The US Supreme Court rules in Plessy v. Ferguson, establishing "separate but equal."
1980
Mount St. Helens erupts in Washington state, killing 57 people.
2009
The Sri Lankan civil war ends after 26 years with a government victory.
Famous Birthdays
1048
Omar Khayyám
Persian mathematician, astronomer, and poet known for the Rubaiyat.
1868
Nicholas II of Russia
Last Emperor of Russia, who was executed with his family in 1918.
1872
Bertrand Russell
British philosopher and Nobel laureate known for his work in mathematical logic.
1920
Pope John Paul II
Polish pope who served for 27 years and was a key figure in the Cold War's end.
1955
Chow Yun-fat
Hong Kong actor known for A Better Tomorrow and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
