On this day in 1776, the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence took place.
On this day in 1870, the world's first underground tube railway, Tower Subway, opened in London.
On this day in 1873, the Clay Street Hill Railroad began operating the first cable car in San Francisco's famous cable car system.
On this day in 1989, Pakistan was re-admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations after having restored democracy for the first time since 1972.
On this day in 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, eventually leading to the Gulf War.
And on this day in 2001, the final section of the 11.307-kilometer New Kuanyin Tunnel of the North Link Railway was blasted through, making it the longest two-way railway tunnel in Taiwan.