The solar system’s largest known dwarf planet is discovered
The discovery of “Eris” ultimately lead to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) downgrading Pluto, which has roughly the same size, to a dwarf planet.
The oil tanker MV Braer runs aground on the coast of the Shetland Islands
The oil tanker spilled twice as much crude oil as the Exxon Valdez in 1989.
The Prague Spring begins
The period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia began with the election of Alexander Dubček as the country’s leader.
Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge begins
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is one of the best-known symbols of the United States.
Alfred Dreyfus is sentenced to life imprisonment
The French artillery officer was accused of treason. He was later exonerated.
- 1969 Marilyn Manson
American singer-songwriter, actor, director - 1932 Umberto Eco
Italian philosopher, author - 1928 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Pakistani politician, 4th President of Pakistan - 1876 Konrad Adenauer
German politician, Chancellor of West Germany - 1779 Stephen Decatur
American navy officer
- 2016 Pierre Boulez
French pianist, composer, conductor - 1970 Max Born
German physicist, Nobel Prize laureate - 1933 Calvin Coolidge
American politician, 30th President of the United States - 1922 Ernest Shackleton
Irish explorer - 1589 Catherine de’ Medici
Italian/French wife of Henry II of France
