On this day in 1888, Nikola Tesla delivered a lecture describing the equipment which would allow efficient generation and use of alternating currents to transmit electric power over long distances.
On this day in 1929, in Hollywood, the first Academy Awards were awarded.
On this day in 1950, the government of the Republic of China evacuated 150,000 troops from Choushan Island to Taiwan.
On this day in 1975, India annexed Sikkim after the mountain state held a referendum in which the popular vote was in favor of merging with India.
And on this day in 1991, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom addressed a joint session of the United States Congress. She is the first British monarch to address the US Congress.