- Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. (2005) Katrina was the costliest hurricane in US history and was one of the top five most deadly. The hurricane killed more than 1,800 people and caused more than $80 billion US Dollars in damage.
- The Communist Party of the Soviet Union dissolved. (1991) The Union's parliament, the Supreme Soviet, stopped all communist activity. The move brought an end to one of the world's largest communist governments.
- US Senator Strom Thurmond spoke against what would become The Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes. (1957) Thurmond caused the longest filibuster in US Senate history. After his loquacious speech, the bill passed 270 to 97.
- The world's first motorcycle was patented. (1885) The patent was awarded to Gottlieb Daimler, co-founder of Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG) in Germany. Daimler manufactured the first motorcycle the following November.
- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded. (1898) The company was founded by American inventor Frank Seiberling. It began with only 13 employees who manufactured tires for bicycles and carriages; the company also made poker chips and rubber horseshoe pads.
- The Beatles performed its last concert. (1966) The band's last concert was in San Francisco at Candlestick Park; thereafter, they only produced music in the studio.
- The first American Indian reservation was established. (1758) The Indian Mills Indian reservation was founded in Indian Mills, New Jersey. Today, there are more than 300 Indian reservations in the US.
- The world's first rack railway opened on Mount Washington. (1869) A rack railway is built with a toothed center rail between two outside rails. The trains have cogs underneath to grip the toothed rail, which helps the train travel up steep hills. The Mount Washington Cog Railway continues to run today.
- English writer and TV show host Robin Leach was born. (1941) Leach is perhaps best known for hosting the American television program Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
- Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman was born; she died on the same day 67 years later. (1915 and 1982) Bergman was perhaps most well known for her roles in Casablanca, Spellbound and Anastasia. Throughout her career, she won three Academy Awards, a Tony Award and two Emmy Awards. The American Film Institute considers her the fourth greatest female star in history.