1747 – The first venereal diseases clinic opens at London Lock Hospital. “I caught it from a toilet seat…”

1865 – American Civil War: Confederate General Robert E. Lee becomes general-in-chief.

1915 – World War I: Germany uses poison gas against Russia

1929 – The Soviet Union exiles Leon Trotsky, instead of letting him retire to Dallas…

1930 – 3M begins marketing Scotch Tape.

1953 – A North Sea flood causes over 1,800 deaths in the Netherlands. FEMA slow to respond. Bush widely blamed.

1958 – Explorer program: Explorer 1 – The first successful launch of an American satellite into orbit.

1995 – President Bill Clinton authorizes a $20 billion loan to Mexico to stabilize its economy. Yeah, they’re plenty stable.