- 1870: The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, grants voting rights regardless of race.
Two important birthdays (Oh, how can one stop with two important birthdays! Especially when there are such splendid people!):
- Gertrude Stein, American Writer and Patron of the Arts
- Felix Mendelssohn, German Composter
- Henry Heimlich, American Physician (Yes, THAT Heimlich!)
- Alvar Aalto, Finnish Architect
- Pretty Boy Floyd, American Gangster!
- Well, actually THREE, since this was "The Day The Music Died": Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens
- St. Ansgar, Patron Saint of Denmark!