January 8th, 2009

Today in History

1994:
Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov on Soyuz TM-18 leaves for Mir. He will stay on the space station till March 22, 1995 for a record 437 days in space.

1977:
Soviet space mission Luna 21 is launched.

1889:
Herman Hollerith receives a patent for his electric tabulating machine.

1867:
African American men granted the right to vote in the District of Columbia.

1815:
War of 1812: In the Battle of New Orleans Andrew Jackson leads American forces in victory over the British.