1898 – Spanish-American War: The USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana harbor in Cuba, killing more than 260. This event leads the United States to declare war on Spain. Recent investigation says the explosion was caused by gases generated in the coal bunkers that fuel the ship. Oh, well… Spain needed to un-ass the hemisphere anyway.

1903 – First Teddy Bear introduced in America, made by Morris & Rose Michtom

1942 – World War II: The Fall of Singapore. Following an assault by Japanese forces, the British General Arthur Percival surrenders. About 80,000 Indian, United Kingdom and Australian soldiers become prisoners of war, the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history. The Sook Ching massacre begins. That’s the end of 50-100,000 civilians. Thousands of POWs die in Japanese prison and labor camps over the course of the war.

1946 – ENIAC (for “Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer”), the first general-purpose electronic computer, is unveiled at the University of Pennsylvania. It weighs thirty tons.

1982 – The drilling rig Ocean Ranger sinks during a storm off the coast of Newfoundland, killing 84 rig workers.

1989 – Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan: The Soviet Union officially announces that all of its troops have left Afghanistan. And now it’s our turn.

1992 – Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was sentenced in Milwaukee to life in prison. that turns out to be another two years before another inmate beats his head in with an iron bar.

2003 – Protests against the Iraq war take place in over 600 cities worldwide. It is estimated that between 8 million to 30 million people participate, making this the largest peace demonstration in history. Perhaps these people were happier when Saddam was feeding his opponents into wood chippers. And where are these people now that ISIS is murdering people on YouTube?