1632 – Galileo’s Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is published. Science (the earth revolves around the Sun) conflicts with politics (the Sun and planets revolve around the earth) and Galileo wins a trip to the Inquisition. You’d have thought he was a global warming denier or something…

1797 – Last Invasion of Britain: 1797 The Last Invasion of Britain by the French, begins near Fishguard, Wales. Ends three days later with a French surrender. Quelle surprise!

1819 – By the Adams-Onís Treaty, Spain sells Florida to the United States for five million U.S. dollars.

1847 – Mexican-American War: The Battle of Buena Vista – 5,000 American troops drive off 15,000 Mexicans. Two presidents participated: Zachary Taylor and Jefferson Davis. This was back when presidents were expected to have experienced something in their lives besides huge amounts of drugs in high school.

1848 – The French Revolution of 1848, which would lead to the establishment of the French Second Republic, begins. It lasts three years and ends with the re-establishment of the monarchy. The Germans help them end the monarchy, so they get a Third Republic. The Germans help them end the Third Republic, too. They’re on Republic #5 now. #6 will probably be under sharia law.

1879 – In Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opens the first of many of 5 and 10-cent Woolworth stores. Oh, to be a little boy with a whole dollar on the Woolworth’s toy aisle in 1957…

1942 – World War II: President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders General Douglas MacArthur out of the Philippines as American defenses collapses. FDR pulled McArthur because he couldn’t win. Truman fired him ten years later for WANTING to win.

1943 – World War II: Members of White Rose are executed in Nazi Germany. That’s how REAL Nazis treat student protestors.

1958 – Egypt and Syria join to form the United Arab Republic. It’s not particularly united and damned sure not a republic. Lasts three years.

1980 – Miracle on Ice: In Lake Placid, New York, the United States hockey team defeats the Soviet Union hockey team 4-3, in what is considered to be one of the greatest upsets in sports history. this was in the day when professional athletes were forbidden to play in Olympic events. The American team was mostly collegiate athletes. The Soviets were as close to full-time pros as one could imagine, with the added incentive that poor performance could land a participant in Siberia.