the year 1324 famous Italian traveller Marco Polo, Venetian merchant, who from 1271 to 1292 travelled through Asia and China, dies. His travelogue is the best testimony of medieval Asia. Some sources claim that Marco Polo was from Korčula. Marko was 17 years old when he first began travelling. His most interesting testimonies speak of the court of the Great Kublai Khan. Marco did not only discover China, he also brought information on Tibet, Burma and India to medieval Europe.
In 1642 Italian astronomer and mathematician Galileo Galilei dies in Arcetri.
In 1679 French researcher Robert Cavelier discovered the Niagara Falls.
In 1867 In the USA voting rights were given to African Americans.
In 1943 the legendary Pohorje Battalion fell at Trije žeblji na Osankarici on Pohorje.
In 1962 in the National gallery in Washington the painting of the Mona Lisa is exhibited to the public for the first time in the USA. Over a period of three weeks the painting was seen by more than half a million people.
In 1996 Francois Mitterrand dies. He was French President from 1981-1995.
MUSIC HISTORY
1972 - The New Seekers are at No. 1 on the British singles chart with 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing', the song was used by Coca Cola in a television advertisement, it contained the sentence 'I'd like to buy the world a Coke.'
1977 – the group Queen is at No. 1 on the British singles chart with 'Day at the Races'.
1994 - Reggae/Rap duo Chaka Demus and Pliers is at the No. 1 spot on the British singles chart with Twist and Shout.'
BORN ON THIS DAY
1935 – King of rock n' roll Elvis Presley ('Love me tender').
1937 – singer Shirley Bassey (1971 'Diamonds are forever').
1947 - David Jones better known as David Bowie (1983 'Let's Dance').
1948 - Paul King, member of Mungo Jerry ('In the Summertime').