- 1776 – Part of New York City is burned shortly after being occupied by British forces.
- 1780 – American General Benedict Arnold gives the British the plans to West Point.
- 1792 – French Revolution: The National Convention abolishes the monarchy.
- 1937 – J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is published.
- 1981 – Sandra Day O’Connor is unanimously approved by the Senate as the first female Supreme Court justice.
- 1996 – The Defense of Marriage Act is passed by Congress.
