1782 – American Revolutionary War: Treaty of Paris (1783) — In Paris, representatives from the United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain sign preliminary peace articles recognizing American independence. (later formalized as the 1783 Treaty of Paris).
1886 – First commercially successful AC electric power plant opens, Buffalo, New York.
1934 – The LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman becomes the first steam locomotive to be authenticated as reaching 100 mph.
1941 – Japanese Emperor Hirohito consults with admirals Shimada & Nagano and rubberstamps the Pearl Harbor attack plan.
1988 – UN General Assembly (151-2) censures US for refusing PLO’s Arafat visa. At this time we should have given then a two-week notice to vacate the premises.
1993 – U.S. President Bill Clinton signs the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (the Brady Bill) into law. Thousands of criminals immediately turn in their handguns. Wait… They didn’t? You’re kidding, right?!?!?
RE the Flying Scotsman. They’ve finally got it restored after many years and a lot of money – could probably have built a new one cheaper. Still it’s back and will be running trips around the UK next year.