1588

English forces attacked the Spanish Armada, permanently crippling Spain's "invincible" fleet.

1786

Dr. Michael-Gabriel Paccard and Jacques Balmat became the first to climb Mont Blanc.

1876

Thomas Edison patented the mimeograph machine.

1900

The first Davis Cup tennis tournament began at the Longwood Cricket Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

1963

In "The Great Train Robbery," some 15 thieves robbed the Glasgow-to-London mail train, making off with more than $6 million in cash.

1969

Sharon Tate, wife of director Roman Polanski, and four others were murdered by members of Charles Manson's "family."

1974

President Nixon announced he would resign the following day as a result of the Watergate scandal.