The John Bull becomes the oldest operable steam locomotive in the world when the Smithsonian Institution operates it under its own power outside Washington, D.C.

The Soviet ship Poltava heads toward Cuba to set in motion the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The official opening of the Liverpool to Manchester railway line.

The Nuremberg Laws come into effect to deprive German Jews of citizenship.

The climax of the Battle of Britain, with the UK Royal Air Force shoots down large numbers of Germany’s Luftwaffe aircraft.