On this day in 1773, Bostonians snuck into British ships docked in the Boston Harbor and dumped the ship's tea cargoes overboard. The act of protest against taxes was called the Boston Tea Party and led to the American Revolution.
On this day in 1949, Chinese Communist Chairman Mao Zedong visited the Soviet Union for the first time.
On this day in 1978, the United States and China announced the establishment of diplomatic relations starting Jan. 1, 1979.
On this day in 1996, former South Korean Presidents Chuan Doo Huan and Roo Tae Woo were sentenced to life imprisonment and a 17-year jail term, respectively.