January 8th, 2009

Today in History

1992:
President of the United States George H. W. Bush becomes ill on a visit in Japan and vomits on the Japanese Prime Minister.

1863:
Battle of Springfield of the American Civil War is fought.

1838:
Alfred Vail demonstrates a telegraph using dots and dashes (this is the forerunner of Morse code).

1734:
Premiere of George Frideric Handel's Ariodante at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

1297:
Monaco gains its independence.