1822 - Mexico officially recognized as an independent nation by US 1932 - USSR and China resume diplomatic relations 1955 - The first prototype of the hovercraft is patented by British engineer Christoper Cockerell 1961 - Nazi German army officer Adolf Eichmann is found guilty of war crimes in Israel 1963 - Kenya (formerly British East Africa) declares independence from the United Kingdom 1982 - $9,800,000 in cash stolen from money transport car in NYC 1988 - PLO leader Yasi Arafat accepts Israel's right to exist 2016 - Ballon d'Or: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo claims award for the 4th time; record winning margin of 429 from Lionel Messi More Historical Events »