1990 – An arson attack on the passenger ferry “Scandinavian Star” kills 159
Insurance fraud is today considered the most likely motive for the attack. According to a 2013 report9 crew members started the fire and sabotaged the fire crew's attempts to extinguish the blaze.
1969 – The internet is born
The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) awarded a contract to build a precursor of today's world wide web to BBN Technologies. The date is widely considered as the internet's symbolic birthday.
1948 – The World Health Organization is established
The WHO is a United Nations agency concerned with fighting disease and epidemics worldwidebuilding up national health servicesand improving health education in its 194 member states.
1827 – The first friction match is sold
English chemist John Walker produced and sold the first operable matches. They were soon banned in France and Germany because burning fragments would sometimes fall to the floor and start fires.
1724 – Johann Sebastian Bach's St. John Passion is premiered
The sacred oratorio is the oldest extant Passion by the German composer. The highly popular work is a dramatization of the final days of Jesus Christaccording to the Gospel of John.
1964 – Russell Crowe
New Zealand/Australian actorsingerproducer
1954 – Jackie Chan
Chinese actormartial artistdirectorproducerscreenwriter
1939 – Francis Ford Coppola
American directorproducerscreenwriter
1920 – Ravi Shankar
Indian/American sitar playercomposer
1915 – Billie Holiday
American singer-songwriteractress
1947 – Henry Ford
American businessmanfounded the Ford Motor Company
1891 – P. T. Barnum
American businessmanfounded Ringling Bros.Barnum & Bailey Circus
1804 – Toussaint Louverture
Haitian general
1782 – Taksin
Thai king
1614 – El Greco
Greek paintersculptor