Historical Events1853 - First passenger railway opens in India from Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane (34 km)1986 - To dispel rumors he's dead, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi appears on TV1987 - August Wilson's "Fences" wins 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama2014 - South Korean ferry MV Sewol sinks on route Incheon to Jeju, 304 drown, mostly students. National controversy erupts over rescue efforts and actions of crew and owner.2017 - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan wins referendum on 18-article constitutional reform packageMore Historical Events Famous Birthdays1820 - Georg Curtius, German classical linguist, born in the Free Imperial City of Lbeck (d. 1885)1897 - Milton Cross, American radio announcer (Metropolitan Opera's Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, 1931-75), born in New York City (d. 1975)1947 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar [Lew Alcindor], American Basketball Hall of Fame center (6 x NBA champion; NBA Finals MVP 1971, 1985; 6 NBA MVP; 19 NBA All-Star), born in New York City1954 - John Bowe, Australian racing driver, born in Devonport, Tasmania1963 - Nick Berry, British actor (EastEnders, Heartbeat), born in Woodford, EnglandMore Famous Birthdays Famous Deaths1904 - Maximilian Kronberger, German poet, dies at 161985 - Scott Brady [Gerald Tierney], American actor (Shotgun Slade, China Syndrome, Gremlins, Johnny Guitar), dies of pulmonary fibrosis at 602007 - Kevin Granata, American professor of Engineering (b. 1961)2007 - Gaetan Duchesne, Canadian hockey player (b. 1962)2010 - Rasim Delic, Bosnian military chief of staff and war criminal (b. 1949)More Famous Deaths