On this day in 1886, pharmacist John Pemberton first sold a carbonated beverage named "Coca-Cola" as a patent medicine.
On this day in 1933, Mohandas Gandhi began a 21-day fast in protest against the British rule in India.
On this day in 1980, the eradication of smallpox was endorsed by the World Health Organization.
And on this day in 1995, noted Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng died after an asthma attack in Thailand.