Facts

1796: English doctor Edward Jenner introduces the first smallpox vaccine.

1900: The Second Olympic Games begin in Paris, with the participation of 995 male and female athletes from 28 countries, competing in 19 sports. They will be completed on October 28.

1928: The Bank of Greece is founded. Alexandros Diomedes takes over as the first commander.

1937: Duke Ellington and his band record the famous ‘Caravan’.

1948: Israel declares its independence in its territories that were under British mandate.

1968: The government of Czechoslovakia, under the leadership of Aleksandr Dupcek, announces measures to liberalize the communist regime. It is the beginning of the “Prague Spring”.

Births

1771: Robert Owen, Welsh businessman and social reformer, who joined the group of utopian socialists. (D. 17/11/1858)

1969: Cate Blanchett, Australian-American actress.

1984: Mark Zuckerberg, American entrepreneur, the man who created Facebook.

Deaths

1879: Epaminondas Deligeorgis, Greek politician, who served 6 times as Prime Minister of Greece. (Born 10/1/1829)

1998: Frank Sinatra, American singer and actor. (Born 12/12/1915)

2015: Riley King, American blues legend, better known as BB King. (Born 16/9/1925)