today in history

In 1912, the Moon made its closest approach to Earth in the 20th century, 348,249 kilometres.

In 1932, the National Congress in India was declared illegal and Mahatma Gandhi was arrested.

In 1948, Burma (now Myanmar) became independent from Britain.

In 1951, North Korean and Communist Chinese forces captured Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

In 1966, following a kidney ailment, 17-year-old June Clark of Miami began a sneezing attack that lasted 155 days. Electric treatment finally stopped the sneezing.

In 1970, Canada withdrew from international hockey competition to protest a ban on Canadian pros. The decision caused the Canadian national team to disband, and the cancellation of that year’s world championship tourney in Winnipeg and Montreal. Apart from various special series, Canada did not return to international play until 1976.

In 1974, U.S. President Richard M. Nixon refused to hand over tape recordings and documents subpoenaed by the Senate Watergate Committee.

In 1986, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers became the first NHL player to score 100 or more points in seven consecutive seasons.

In 1999, former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura took the oath of office as Minnesota’s governor.