In 1788, South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the U.S. constitution. In 1846, Mexico declared war on the United States. In 1934, outlaws Bonnie and Clyde were fatally shot by police officers. In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was established. In 1960, a tsunami killed 61 people in Hilo, Hawaii.

Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778), botanist; Margaret Fuller (1810-1850), writer/feminist; Artie Shaw (1910-2004), bandleader; Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002), singer; John Newcombe (1944- ), tennis player; Drew Carey (1958- ), comedian/TV personality; Jewel (1974- ), singer.

In 1895, the Louisville Colonels forfeited a home game to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms in the third inning because they ran out of baseballs.

The Hawaiian tsunami on this day in 1960 was triggered by a massive earthquake off the Chilean coast that had killed thousands the day before.

“Nature provides exceptions to every rule.” – Margaret Fuller