1807 – Congress passes the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves, disallowing the importation of new slaves into the country.
1836 – Texas proclaimed independence from Mexico.
1867 – Congress passes the first Reconstruction Act.
1877 – Just two days before the inauguration, Congress declares Rutheford B. Hayes the winner of the presidential election even though Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote.
1903 – In New York City the Martha Washington Hotel opens, becoming the first hotel exclusively for women.
1933 – The film King Kong opens at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.
1962 – Wilt Chamberlain sets the single-game scoring record in the NBA by scoring 100 points.
1965 – The US and Republic of Vietnam Air Force begin Operation Rolling Thunder, a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
1995 – Yahoo! is incorporated.
