141 BC –Liu Che, posthumously known as Emperor Wu of Han, assumes the throne of the Han Dynasty in China and rules for 54 years. 1522 – Martin Luther begins preaching his “Invocavit Sermons” in the German city of Wittenberg, reminding citizens to trust God’s word rather than violence and thus helping bring to a close the revolutionary stage of the Reformation. 1776 – Publication of influential economics book “The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith. 1831 – The Foreign Legion, whose unofficial motto is “Legio patria nostra” (“The legion is our fatherland”), was founded this day in 1831 by King Louis-Philippe as an aid in controlling French colonial possessions in Africa. 1918 – Russian Bolshevik Party becomes the Communist Party. 1933 – US Congress is called into special session by FDR, beginning its “100 days”. 1959 – Barbie, a toy doll that became an international sensation despite criticism, was introduced by Mattel, Inc. 1961 – Soviet flight Sputnik 9 carries and returns from orbit a dog named Chernushka (Blackie), frogs and a guinea pig.
Births & Deaths: 1947 – Carrie Chapman Catt, an American feminist leader, died.
Sport: 1908 – Italian football club Inter Milan founded as Foot-Ball Club Internazionale.
Music: 1842 – Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Nabucco” premieres in Milan.
TV & Film: 1981 – Dan Rather becomes primary anchorman of CBS-TV News.
