2008
Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other FARC hostages are rescued by the Colombian armed forces.
2002
Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly solo around the world nonstop in a balloon.
1998
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” the second book in the series is published by Bloomsbury in the UK
1985
General Motors announced that it was installing electronic road maps as an option in some of its higher-priced cars.
1976
North Vietnam and South Vietnam were reunited.
1962
The first Wal-Mart store opens for business in Rogers, Arkansas.
1956
Elvis Presley records “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel”,
1850
B.J. Lane patented the gas mask.
1698
Thomas Savery patents the first steam engine.