1642

New Zealand was discovered by Dutch navigator Abel Tasman.

1918

President Wilson arrived in France, becoming the first U.S. president to visit Europe while in office.

1978

The U.S. Mint began stamping the Susan B. Anthony dollar, the first U.S. coin honoring a woman.

1981

The Polish government imposed martial law in an attempt to crush the Solidarity movement.

1989

South African President F. W. de Klerk met with Nelson Mandela for the first time.

1996

Kofi Annan of Ghana chosen to become UN secretary-general.

2000

George W. Bush accepted presidency 36 days after election; Al Gore, Jr., conceded.

2003

American forces captured Saddam Hussein who was hiding in a hole near his hometown of Tikrit.