On this day in 1685, Johann Sebastian Bach was born. The German composer and organist is considered to be one of the greatest composers in history.
On this day in 1829, an earthquake rocked Spain, killing some 6,000 people.
On this day in 1908, French aviator Henri Farman flied over Paris with the first air passenger.
On this day in 1940, Dr. Sun Yat-sen was posthumously declared the Founding Father of the Republic of China for his life-long contributions to the revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty. The decision was made at a meeting of the Kuomintang Central Standing Committee.