Caesar defeats Pompey's supporters at Thapsus (46), and New York ratifies the Articles of Confederation (1778). Born on this day: Ronald Reagan, Bob Marley and Anne. Died: George VI, Gustav Klimt and Charles II.
32 events, 62 births and 77 deaths on this date.
Caesar's forces crushed the army of Metellus Scipio and Cato the Younger's allies at Thapsus in North Africa, a victory that left Pompey's cause in tatters. It gave Caesar control of the province of Africa and helped secure his grip on Rome.
Ángel M. Felicísimo from Mérida, España · Public domainCleopatraHear the story in ChunksOn this day, New York's legislature approved the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution uniting the thirteen American states. Its vote came after two other states had already signed on, helping the young nation move toward a working central government.
Massachusetts voted to approve the new national constitution, becoming the sixth state to do so and bringing the document closer to taking effect. The vote came after a close and bitter debate between supporters and opponents of a stronger central government.
The American Colonization Society paid for this group to resettle in West Africa, part of a scheme to send Black Americans away from the US. Their settlement would later form part of Liberia.
Lockheed's president, Carl Kotchian, told a Senate subcommittee that his company had handed over roughly $3 million in bribes, routed to the Japanese prime minister's circle. The admission put the company's overseas payments under public scrutiny.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck near Gaziantep, followed nine hours later by a 7.7 quake further north. Tens of thousands died, and the rescue effort was hampered by roads blocked by damage, winter storms and failed communications.
Adem · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Born in Tampico, Illinois, he went from radio sports broadcasting to Hollywood films, then led the United States as its 40th president. He is remembered as a central figure of American conservatism and the Reagan era.
Michael Evans · Public domain
Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter who took the genre far beyond the island. His rhythms, spiritual themes and Rastafarian faith made him a global symbol of Jamaican music and identity.
Dennis Morris; Distributed by Island Records · Public domain
Anne was the second daughter of James, Duke of York, and became Queen of Great Britain and Ireland in 1707 after the Acts of Union joined England and Scotland. She is remembered for a reign dominated by the War of the Spanish Succession and a famously bitter falling-out with her close friend Sarah Churchill.
Michael Dahl · Public domain
George VI led Britain through the Second World War after his brother abdicated, and he became the first Head of the Commonwealth. He is also remembered for overcoming a severe stammer with the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue.
Matson Photo Service · Public domain
Klimt was the Austrian painter who led the Vienna Secession and is remembered for The Kiss, with its gold leaf and decorative patterns. He died in Vienna after a stroke and pneumonia, leaving behind a body of work that still sells for record prices.
Josef Anton Trčka · Public domain
Charles II, who spent nine years in exile before being restored to the English throne in 1660, died on this day in 1685. He is remembered for reviving the monarchy after the Civil War and Interregnum, and for his love of science and the theatre.
Peter Lely · Public domain
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