Historical Events 1854 - Britain recognises independence of Orange Free State (South Africa) 1878 - 1st telephone exchange in San Francisco‚ California opens with 18 phones 1916 - Sigmund Romberg‚ James Hanley‚ Harold R. Atteridge and Edgar Smith's musical "Robinson Crusoe Jr"‚ featuring Al Jolson‚ opens at the Winter Garden Theatre‚ NYC; runs for 139 performances 1924 - American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller sets 100m world freestyle record 57.4s at Miami‚ Florida 1928 - American brothers‚ Jennison and John Heaton fight out the top placings in the cresta (now known as skeleton) at the St. Moritz Winter Olympics; Jennison takes the gold by 1.0s 2020 - Amazon boss Jeff Bezos pledges $10 billion to help fight climate change More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1850 - Anton Urspruch‚ German composer‚ born in Frankfurt (d. 1907) 1892 - Theodor Plievier‚ German writer (Des Kaisers Kulis [The Kaiser's Coolies]; Stalingrad)‚ born in Berlin‚ German Empire (d. 1955) 1906 - Ramon Tapales‚ Filipino composer and conductor‚ born in Baybay‚ Philippines (d. 1995) 1934 - Alan Bates‚ British actor (Zorba the Greek; An Unmarried Woman; The Rose)‚ born in Allestree‚ Derby‚ England (d. 2003) 1969 - Levon Kirkland‚ American NFL linebacker (Pittsburgh Steelers)‚ born in Lamar‚ South Carolina 1971 - Jeremy Edwards‚ British actor (Holby City)‚ born in London‚ England More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1609 - Ferdinando I de' Medici‚ Grand Duke of Tuscany‚ dies at 59 1924 - Henry Bacon‚ American architect (Lincoln Memorial)‚ dies at 57 1970 - Alfred Newman‚ American film music arranger‚ conductor and composer‚ winner of 9 Academy Awards (The Robe; How The West Was Won; Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing)‚ dies at 69 1985 - Wanda Perry‚ actress (Roberta‚ Death of a Salesman)‚ dies at 67 1993 - Alfredo de Leon‚ leader (Philippines Red Scorpio Gang)‚ killed 2021 - Gianluigi Saccaro‚ Italian fencer (Olympic gold épée team 1960; silver épée team 1964; bronze épée 1968)‚ dies at 82 More Famous Deaths »