432 - On this day in 461 A.D., Saint Patrick, Christian missionary, bishop and apostle of Ireland, dies at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. 1521– Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Philippines. 1861– Italy is unified into a single kingdom under Victor Emmanuel II following the campaigns led by Giuseppe Garibaldi. 1905– Albert Einstein finishes his scientific paper detailing his Quantum Theory of Light, one of the foundations of modern physics. 1939– Battle of Nanchang between the Kuomintang and the Japanese breaks out (Sino-Japanese War 1937-1945). 1942– Bełżec Concentration Camp opens with the transport of 30,000 Lublin Polish Jews. 1990 – The former Soviet Socialist Republic of Lithuania steadfastly rejects a demand from the Soviet Union that it renounce its declaration of independence. The situation in Lithuania quickly became a sore spot in U.S.-Soviet relations. 1992 – Nearly 69 percent of white South African voters backed F.W. de Klerk’s reforms—which included the repeal of racially discriminatory laws—and effectively endorsed the dismantling of apartheid.
Births & Deaths: 1917 – Nat King Cole, an American musician who first came to prominence as a jazz pianist but who reached enormous popularity with his warm, relaxed, somewhat breathy-voiced ballad singing, was born. 2005 – American author Andre Norton, who wrote more than 130 sci-fi and fantasy adventure novels for juveniles and adults, died at age 93.
Film: 1960– One of the first French New Wave films, “Breathless”, directed by Jean-Luc Godard, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg is released in France. 1968– Bee Gees make their US TV debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show” performing “To Love Somebody” and “Words”.
Sport: 1897– British boxer Bob Fitzsimmons KOs American champion Jim Corbett in the 14th round to win World Heavyweight title in Carson City, Nevada. 1908– Tommy Burns KOs Jem Roche in 88 seconds in the quickest world heavyweight boxing title fight.
