1565 – 1st Spanish settlement in Philippines forms at Cebu City 1865 – Steamboat “SS Sultana” explodes in the Mississippi River, killing up to 1,800 of the 2,427 passengers in the greatest maritime disaster in United States history. Most were paroled Union POWs on their way home. 1904 – The Australian Labor Party under Prime Minister Chris Watson becomes the first Labor government in the world 1945 – Italian partisans capture Benito Mussolini at Dongo (Lake Como) 1960 – After several years as an autonomous republic in the French Union, the West African country of Togo became independent. 1992 – British politician Betty Boothroyd became the first woman to be elected speaker of the House of Commons; she held the post until 2000. 2005 – The superjumbo jet aircraft Airbus A380 makes its first flight from Toulouse, France 2014 – Pope John Paul II was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI.
Film: 2014 – “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” late-night talk and news show fronted by John Oliver premieres on HBO.
Music: 1810 – Ludwig van Beethoven composes his famous piano piece “ Für Elise”
Via Britannica / On This Day
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