Historical Events 1774 - John Hancock delivers the fourth annual Massacre Day oration‚ a commemoration of the Boston Massacre‚ and denounces the presence of British troops in Boston‚ enhancing Hancock's stature as a leading Patriot 1784 - Thomas Townshend‚ 1st Viscount Sydney‚ is named President of the Board of Trade. 1928 - Karl Zuckmayer's "Der Hauptmann von Köpenick" premieres in Berlin 1966 - US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site 1974 - Ralph Stewart failed in 2nd Islander penalty shot 1982 - Russian spacecraft Venera 14 lands on Venus sends back data More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1871 - Rosa Luxemburg‚ Polish-German Marxist revolutionary and founder of the Spartacus League‚ born in Zamość‚ Poland (d. 1919) 1893 - Emmett J. Culligan‚ American entrepreneur (founder of water treatment organization Culligan Inc.)‚ born in Yankton‚ South Dakota (d. 1970) 1934 - James B Sikking‚ American actor (Hill Street Blues - "Lt. Howard Hunter"; Star Trek 3; Doogie Howser)‚ born in Los Angeles‚ California 1939 - Norman Seeff‚ South African-American photographer‚ filmmaker‚ and album cover artist (Joni Mitchell; Captain and Tenille; Fleetwood Mac)‚ born in Johannesburg‚ South Africa 1948 - Jacques Kloes‚ Dutch rock singer (Dizzy Man's Band - "The Show"; "Matter of Facts")‚ born in Heemskerk‚ Holland (d. 2015) 1961 - Dan Stuart‚ American singer-songwriter (Green on Red)‚ poet‚ and author (The Unfortunate Demise of Marlowe Billings)‚ born in Los Angeles‚ California More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1940 - Cai Yuanpei‚ Chinese educator (b. 1868) 1967 - Mischa Auer [Ounskowsky]‚ Russian actor (My Man Godfrey)‚ dies from a heart attack at 61 1967 - Georges Vanier‚ French Canadian soldier and 19th Governor General of Canada‚ dies at 78 1979 - Vicente Ascone‚ Italian composer‚ dies at 81 1984 - Harry Salter‚ orchestra leader (Stop the Music)‚ dies at 85 2010 - Edgar Wayburn‚ American environmentalist awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom 1999‚ dies at 103 More Famous Deaths »