The Curiosity Rover lands on the surface of Mars.

American Bandstand debuts on the ABC television network.

Foot tunnel in Greenwich under the River Thames opens.

Jesse Owens wins the 100 meter sprint at the Berlin Olympics.

Albert Einstein and Leó Szilárd write to Franklin D. Roosevelt, urging him to develop a nuclear weapon.

Dahomey declares independence from France. The country later changes its name to Benin.