1536
The city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Mendoza.
1709
Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, was rescued after four years alone on an island off the coast of Chile.
1848
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican War, was signed. In the treaty, Mexico ceded to the United States a huge portion of what is today the American West and Southwest, including California and New Mexico.
1870
The Cardiff Giant was revealed to be a hoax.
1876
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was formed.
1887
The first gathering at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsatawney, Pa. to wait for the groundhog's shadow occurred.
1922
James Joyce's Ulysses was published.
1943
Nazi troops surrendered in the World War II Battle of Stalingrad.
1971
Idi Amin became dictator of Uganda.
1980
The Abscam scandal was revealed.
1990
South African President F. W. de Klerk lifted a ban on the African National Congress and promised to free Nelson Mandela.
2003
Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel stepped down after 13 years.
