2016
Scientists discovered the oldest living Greenland Shark, with an estimated age of 392 years old.
The international team of scientists declared the shark the longest-living vertebrate in the world.
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2008
Airbedandbreakfast.com was launched by its three founders, which is now known as Airbnb.
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1999
The last total solar eclipse of the 20th century occurred and was visible from Europe and Asia.
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1969
The Apollo 11 astronauts were released from a three-week quarantine following their liftoff from the moon.
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1909
American steamship S. S. Arapahoe became the first to use the signal “SOS” off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, USA.
The distress signal had only recently been changed from “CQD” to “SOS” by the Berlin Radiotelegraph Conference, and the captain of S. S. Arapahoe was initially unsure which to use.
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1896
Inventor Harvey Hubbell patented the popular light bulb with a pull chain.
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1885
Joseph Pulitzer wrote an article in New York World to ask the public to donate towards constructing the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty.
Within just six months, his article had raised an incredible $100,000.
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1874
Harry S. Parmelee patented the fire sprinkler system.
The invention became very popular, and roughly 200,000 systems were sold between 1878 and 1882.
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1866
The world’s first roller skating rink opened in Rhode Island.
The rink was previously a dining room and, after renovation, was opened for the public.
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1772
Mount Papandayan volcano in Indonesia erupted, killing almost 3,000 people.
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1492
Pope Alexander VI, born Rodrigo de Borja became Pope.
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1093
Bishop William of St. Calais demolished the old Saxon church in Durham and laid the foundation for the new Norman Durham cathedral.
William of St. Calais was a Norman Monk and was appointed by William the Conqueror to update churches across the UK.
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355 AD
Roman general Claudius Silvanus fraudulently proclaimed himself Roman emperor and was hacked to death.
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