1787 - The Constitutional Convention begins in Philadelphia.
1810 - The first Argentine junta is formed, marking the beginning of the Argentine War of Independence.
1846 - The United States declares war on Mexico, starting the Mexican-American War.
1868 - The Meiji Restoration begins in Japan, ending the Tokugawa shogunate.
1934 - The first Indianapolis 500 is held.
1940 - The Battle of Dunkirk begins, during which some 338,000 Allied troops are evacuated from France.
1961 - President John F. Kennedy announces the goal of sending a man to the moon before the end of the decade.
1977 - The first Star Wars film is released.
1983 - The first cellular phone call is made.
2001 - The first episode of the TV show Survivor airs.