On this day in 1783, Mount Asama erupted in Japan, killing about 1,400 people. The eruption caused a famine, which resulted in an additional 20,000 deaths.
On this day in 1875, Hans Christian Anderson, Danish writer famous the world over for his fairy tales and stories, including "The Princess and the Pea" and "The Ugly Duckling," died in Copenhagen at the age of 70.
On this day in 1944, Anne Frank, a 14-year-old German Jewish diarist, and seven other Jews in hiding in Amsterdam, were captured by the Gestapo and sent to concentration camps.
On this day in 1999, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and Mayor Tarmile Ishoda of Majuro signed a pact of alliance in Taipei, making Majuro, capital of the Marshall Islands, the 44th sister city of Taiwan's capital.