- 1493 – Christopher Columbus returns to Spain after his first trip to the Americas.
- 1776 – South Carolina becomes the first American colony to declare its independence from England and set up its own government.
- 1866 – Johan Vaaler born, Norwegian inventor of the paperclip
- 1887 – Marjorie Merriweather Post born, American entrepreneur and founder of General Foods, Inc.
- 1906 – Rolls-Royce Limited is incorporated.
- 1985 – The first Internet domain name is registered (symbolics.com).
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