Today in history

1506: The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is laid.
1775: Paul Revere rides from Charleston to Lexington warning the "regulars are coming!"
1783: Fighting ceases in the American Revolution, eight years to the day since it began.
1861: Colonel Robert E. Lee turns down offer to command Union armies (US Civil War).
1881: Billy the Kid escapes from the Lincoln County jail in Mesilla, New Mexico.
1902: Denmark is first country to adopt fingerprinting to identify criminals.
1906: San Francisco earthquake and fire kills nearly 4,000 while destroying 75% of the city.
1912: The Cunard liner RMS Carpathia brings 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic to New York City.
1923: 74,000 (62,281 paid) on hand for opening of Yankee Stadium.
1948: International Court of Justice opens at Hague Netherlands.
1946: Jackie Robinson debuts as 2nd baseman for the Montreal Royals.
1948: International Court of Justice opens at Hague Netherlands.
1966: Bill Russell becomes the first black coach in NBA history (Boston Celtics).
1975: John Lennon releases "Stand by Me."
1982: Canada Constitution Act replaces British North America Act.
1983: Pulitzer Prize awarded to Alice Walker for "The Color Purple".
1999: Wayne Gretzky plays his last game in the NHL.