Historical Events1859 - A geomagnetic storm causes the Aurora Borealis to shine so brightly that it is seen clearly over parts of the USA, Europe, and even as far afield as Japan1884 - MLB pitcher Mickey Welch sets a record for most consecutive batters struck out to begin a game, striking out the first nine men he faces1942 - Swedish runner Gunder Hgg sets a world record of 8:01.2 in the 3000 m1950 - Earle and Roy Mack purchase 54% of the Philadelphia A's from Connie Mack Jr.1986 - Bolivian President Vctor Paz Estenssoro calls a state of siegeMore Historical Events Famous Birthdays1829 - Albert Dietrich, German composer and conductor, born in Meissen, Kingdom of Saxony (d. 1908)1952 - Guy Nadon, Canadian actor (L'ange gardien), born in Montral, Qubec1961 - Jennifer Coolidge, American actress and comedian (Legally Blonde film series; Christopher Guest films), born in Boston, Massachusetts1965 - Satoshi Tajiri, Japanese video game designer (Game Freak, creator of the Pokmon franchise), born in Setagaya, Japan1982 - (Margaret) LeAnn Rimes [Cibrian], American country singer ("Blue"; "How Do I Live"), born in Jackson, MississippiMore Famous Birthdays Famous Deaths1677 - Wallerant Vaillant, French painter and engraver, dies at 541963 - Bernard Silver, American co-inventor of the barcode, dies of leukemia at 381978 - Bruce Catton, American historian and writer (Civil War), dies at 781987 - John Huston, US/Irish actor and director (Maltese Falcon), dies at 812024 - (Herman) "Pete" Wade, American country and pop session guitarist (Nashville A-Team; Lynn Anderson - Rose Garden; Crystal Gayle - Dont It Make My Brown Eyes Blue), dies of complications after hip surgery at 89More Famous Deaths