Today in History

A jury in New Jersey rules that terminally ill patients have the right to starve themselves.

Michelle Robinson Obama, wife of US President Barack Obama.

Soviet leader Khrushchev visits the Berlin Wall.

The Red army occupies Warsaw.

Muhammad Ali [Cassius Clay], U.S. boxer, “The Greatest,” who is the only three-time heavyweight champion..

The Reich issues an order forbidding Jews to practice as dentists, veterinarians and chemists.

Betty White, actress; created memorable characters in TV sitcoms from the 1950s into the 21st century (Life with Elizabeth, Mary Tyler Moore, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland) and was a popular guest on TV game shows. At age 88 and a half she became the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live (2010).

Robert Scott reaches the South Pole only a month after Roald Amundsen.

Al Capone, U.S. mobster known as “Scarface Al” who ran most of Chicago and the surrounding area.

Queen Liliuokalani, the Hawaiian monarch, is overthrown by a group of American sugar planters led by Sanford Ballard Dole.

David Lloyd George, British Prime Minister during World War I.

Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright and short story writer famous for The Seagull and Three Sisters.

At the Sand River Convention, the British recognize the independence of the Transvaal Board.

Simon Bolivar the “liberator” proclaims Columbia a republic.

Captain James Cook becomes the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle.

Charles Edward Stuart, the young pretender, defeats the government forces at the battle of Falkirk in Scotland.

Benjamin Franklin, statesman, diplomat, scientist and inventor who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac.

The Treaty of Lyons ends a short war between France and Savoy.

Pius V, Pope 1566-1572.