1820

Captain Nathaniel Palmer discovered Antarctica.

1883

Standard time began in the United States.

1886

Chester A. Arthur, the 21st president of the United States (1881-1885), died in New York at 56.

1928

Mickey Mouse made his debut in Steamboat Willie.

1976

Spain's parliament approved a bill to establish a democracy after 37 years of dictatorship.

1978

Jim Jones, a U.S. pastor, led 914 of his followers to their deaths at Jonestown, Guyana, by drinking a cyanide-laced fruit drink. Cult members who refused to swallow the drink were shot.

2003

The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the right to same sex marriage was guaranteed by the state constitution.

2004

The UN Security Council held a two-day session in Nairobi. This was the first time it had convened outside of New York headquarters.

(courtesy www.infoplease.com)