1. In 1337, the construction of the cathedral of Florence began.

2. In 1785, the first U.S. patent was issued, to Samuel Hopkins for an improvement in making potash.

3. In 1896, Utah was admitted as the 45th U.S. state.

4. In 1918, the first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded.

5. In 1942, the first Japanese air raid on Australia occurred.

6. In 1964, the U.S. Surgeon General's report on smoking and health was released.

7. In 1972, Apollo 17, the last Apollo lunar mission, was launched.

8. In 1989, Emperor Hirohito of Japan died.

9. In 1991, Iraqi forces began to withdraw from Kuwait.

10. In 2005, Apple Computer released the first version of the iTunes Music Store for Windows.

11. In 1811, Paraguay declared its independence from Spain.

12. In 1838, Samuel Morse demonstrated the telegraph for the first time.

13. In 1904, The Ford Motor Company was incorporated.

14. In 1915, The first zeppelin raid on Britain during World War I took place.

15. In 1946, General Douglas MacArthur ordered the arrest of 40 Japanese war criminals.

16. In 1955, The first McDonald's franchise was opened in Des Plaines, Illinois.

17. In 1966, France conducted its first underground nuclear test.

18. In 1977, The first Apple II computers were sold.

19. In 1982, The first artificial heart transplant was performed.

20. In 2011, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country, sparking the Arab Spring.