Historical Events 1756 - Frederick II of Prussia leads an Anglo-Prussian alliance into Saxony, beginning the Seven Years' War 1862 - US Bureau of Engraving and Printing begins operation 1932 - United Cigar Stores shuts 800 shops 2003 - Skype Technologies releases its pioneering video-conferencing software 2013 - Actor Gary Sinise is named an honorary Marine by the Commandant of the Marine Corps More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1891 - Michael Chekhov, Russian-American actor (Abie's Irish Rose, Rhapsody), born in Saint Petersburg, Russia (d. 1955) 1905 - Lan Adomián, Russian-American-Mexican composer, and Spanish Civil War fighter (Lincoln Brigade), born in Moghiler-Podolsk, Russia (d. 1979) 1915 - Nathan Pritikin, American nutritionist and inventor, born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1985) 1920 - Charles White, American actor (Airport 95, Serpico), born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey (d. 2005) 1928 - Charles Gray, British actor (Clay-Rawhide, Diamonds Are Forever, The Rocky Horror Picture Show), born in Bournemouth, Hampshire (d. 2000) More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1093 - Hugh I, Duke of Burgundy (b. 1057) 1910 - Johan Eilerts de Haan, Dutch naval officer and explorer (Lucie River, Suriname), dies, likely due to malaria, at 44 1960 - Hazza el-Majali, Prime Minister of Jordan is assassinated 1975 - Éamon de Valera, Irish republican politician and President of Ireland (1937-48, 51-54, 57-59), dies at 92 2016 - Gene Wilder [Jerome Silberman], American actor (Blazing Saddles; Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; Silver Streak; Young Frankenstein), dies at 83 More Famous Deaths »