On this day in 1616, the first non-aristocratic, free public school in Europe was opened in Frascati, Italy.
On this day in 1789, the United States Department of State was established (formerly known as the "Department of Foreign Affairs").
On this day in 1935, the Nuremberg Laws deprived German Jews of citizenship.
On this day in 1959, Nikita Khrushchev became the first Soviet leader to visit the United States.
On this day in 2008, Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history.