- 1580 – Francis Drake finishes his circumnavigation of the Earth.
- 1777 – American Revolution: British troops occupy Philadelphia.
- 1789 – President George Washington appoints the first cabinet of the United States government.
- 1905 – Albert Einstein publishes his special theory of relativity.
- 1914 – The Federal Trade Commission is established by the Federal Trade Commission Act.
- 1960 – The first televised debate takes place between presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy.
- 1969 – Abbey Road, the last recorded album by the Beatles, is released.
