World Events Today
- IBM released the 305 RAMAC today in 1956, it was the first commercial computer with a moving-head hard disk drive for secondary storage
- The Russian spacecraft Luna 2 was the first human-made object to reach the surface of the Moon today in 1959
- MCI WorldCom was formed today in 1998, when the WorldCom and MCI Communications merger was completed
Entertainment Events Today
- The American drama television series The Waltons, about a family in rural Virginia during the Great Depression, aired for the first time today in 1972 on the CBS network
- The American sitcom television series The Golden Girls aired for the first time today in 1985
- The British sitcom The Royle Family, centred on the lives of a Manchester family, the Royles, aired for the first time today in 1998
Family Events Today
- Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, who famously defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, died today in 1852 aged 83
- The English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, whose hits included Rehab and Back to Black, was born today in 1983 in London
- The American actor Patrick Swayze, most famous for his roles in the movies Ghost and Dirty Dancing, died today in 2009 aged 57
Main Event Today
- Russians started the Fire of Moscow today in 1812, most of the city was destroyed as most of the residents had fled prior to Napoleon invading the city
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Eat a Hoagie Day