1997 – The Japanese embassy hostage crisis ends after 126 days
The hero status of the Peruvian troops involved in the successful raid was later called into question when evidence of summary executions of captured insurgents emerged.
1992 – A series of massive explosions destroys parts of Guadalajara
The disaster in the downtown district of Analco occurred after gasoline had leaked into the sewer system. At least 206 people died, nearly 500 were injured, and about 15,000 were left homeless.
1977 – Optical fiber is used for telephone transmissions for the first time
Fiber-optic technology allows sending information over long distances by means of light pulses. It has played an important role in the development of modern-day global communications.
1945 – Adolf Hitler admits defeat
The German dictator announced in the underground Führerbunker that he plans to commit suicide after learning that Soviet forces had entered Berlin.
1906 – The 1906 Olympic Games begin in Athens
While the meet in practice was the second Olympic Games of the modern era, it is not recognized as such by the International Olympic Committee.
1916 – Yehudi Menuhin
American/Swiss violinist, conductor
1904 – J. Robert Oppenheimer
American physicist
1899 – Vladimir Nabokov
Russian/American author
1870 – Vladimir Lenin
Russian politician
1724 – Immanuel Kant
Russian/German philosopher
1999 – Munir Ahmad Khan
Austrian/Pakistani scientist, engineer
1994 – Richard Nixon
American politician, 37th President of the United States
1986 – Mircea Eliade
Romanian historian, author
1983 – Earl Hines
American pianist
1616 – Miguel de Cervantes
Spanish author
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