Today in 1953, 71 years ago: in the United States, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz sign an $8 million contract to continue the television series I Love Lucy during 1955.

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Today in 1898, 126 years ago: the Maine cruise ship explodes in the bay of Havana, a fact that leads to the declaration of war by the United States against Spain, which will end with the loss of the colony.

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Today in 1631, 393 years ago: in the United States, Roger Williams emigrates to Boston.

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Today in 1909, 115 years ago: in Cuba, the last invading US soldiers leave the island, after being there since the Spanish-Cuban-American War of 1898; however, they retain the naval base of Guantánamo, which remains invaded.

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Today in 2011, 13 years ago: Arab Spring: The Yemeni Revolution begins as over 16,000 protestors demonstrate in Sana'a.

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Today in 1997, 27 years ago: Space Shuttle program: Atlantis launches from the Kennedy Space Center on mission STS-81 to the Russian space station Mir, carrying astronaut Jerry M. Linenger for a four-month stay on board the station, replacing astronaut John E. Blaha.

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Today in 1886, 138 years ago: France establishes its protectorate in Madagascar.

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Today in 1845, 178 years ago: The United States annexes the Mexican state of Texas (fulfilling the doctrine of manifest destiny).

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Today in 1492, 531 years ago: in Barcelona, King Ferdinand II of Aragon is wounded in an attack carried out by Juan de Cañamares.

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Today in 1532, 491 years ago: Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire: Commanded by Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistadors under Hernando de Soto meet Incan Emperor Atahualpa for the first time outside Cajamarca, arranging for a meeting in the city plaza the following day.

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Today in 2002, 21 years ago: in China, Hu Jintao becomes the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, and a new nine-member Politburo Committee is created.

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Today in 2017, 6 years ago: A gunman kills four people and injures 12 others during a shooting spree across Rancho Tehama, California. He had earlier murdered his wife in their home.

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Today in 1975, 48 years ago: in Madrid (Spain) the Tripartite Agreements are signed by which the Kingdom of Spain unilaterally hands over the administration of Western Sahara to a tripartite administration formed by Spain, Morocco and Mauritania.

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Today in 1940, 83 years ago: Walt Disney's animated musical film Fantasia is first released at New York's Broadway Theatre, on the first night of a roadshow.

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Today in 1872, 151 years ago: in the Baltic Sea, a storm surge affects the coasts from Denmark to Pomerania. The maximum height of the waters reached 3.3 m. At least 271 people died and 15,160 were left homeless.

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Today in 2021, 2 years ago: in the United States, singer Taylor Ñerda releases Red (Taylor's Version), a re-recording of her fourth studio album, Red.

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Today in 1940, 83 years ago: World War II: In the Battle of Taranto, the Royal Navy launches the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack in history.

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Today in 1932, 91 years ago: in Germany the eighth parliamentary elections are held, and Germans go to the polls for the fourth time in that year. The Nazi Party continues to be the most voted for, but it remains unable to achieve a parliamentary majority.

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Today in 1962, 61 years ago: in the United States (a country where racism existed until 1965), the United Nations General Assembly presents a resolution condemning apartheid in South Africa and calls on all member states to block all economic and military relations with that nation.

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Today in 1605, 418 years ago: in England, Guy Fawkes is arrested for participating in the Gunpowder Plot, a plot that sought to blow up the British parliament building, to assassinate its occupants and unleash a rebellion, for religious ideological causes.

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