On this day in 1922, one year to the day after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, the Irish Free State came into existence.
On this day in 1953, Vladimir Nabokov completed his controversial novel Lolita.
On this day in 1971, Pakistan severed diplomatic relations with India following New Delhi's recognition of Bangladesh.
And on this day in 2006, NASA revealed photographs taken by Mars Global Surveyor suggesting the presence of liquid water on Mars.