Alaska Purchase approved
After much opposition, a deal negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State William Seward for the U.S. purchase of the Russian colony of Alaska was approved, and on this day in 1867 the U.S. flag was flown over the capital, Sitka. 1867.
After eight years of self-imposed exile, Benazir Bhutto—who, as two-time prime minister (1988–90 and 1993–96) of Pakistan, was the first woman leader of a Muslim nation in modern history—returned to her home country, and hours later she was nearly killed when her motorcade was bombed in Karachi; she was assassinated in December. 2007.
Tennis player Martina Navratilova—who dominated the sport in the late 20th century, winning 18 Grand Slam singles titles—was born in Prague. 1956.
American inventor Thomas Edison, who was especially known for his critical role in introducing the modern age of electricity, died in West Orange, New Jersey. 1931.
The British Broadcasting Company, Ltd., was established, to be replaced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 1927. 1922.
Puerto Rico was turned over to the United States following the Spanish-American War. 1898.
American author Herman Melville‘s classic novel Moby Dick was first published (as The Whale), in London. 1851.
