1899 – The Marconi Wireless Company of America was incorporated in New Jersey.

1906 – The International Radio Telegraphic Convention in Berlin adopted the SOS distress signal.

1935 – The first trans-Pacific airmail flight began in Alameda, CA, when the flying boat known as the China Clipper left for Manila. The craft was carrying over 110,000 pieces of mail.

1942 – During World War II, the Battle of Stalingrad began.

1963 – U.S. President Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, TX.

1974 – The U.N. General Assembly gave the Palestine Liberation Organization observer status.

1977 – Regular passenger service on the Concorde began between New York and Europe.

2005 – Angela Merkel was elected as Germany’s first female chancellor