On this day in 1959, the Barbie doll made its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York.
On this day in 1961, Sputnik 9 successfully launched, carrying a human dummy nicknamed Ivan Ivanovich, demonstrating that the Soviet Union was ready to begin human spaceflight.
On this day in 1989, financially troubled Eastern Airlines filed for bankruptcy.
On this day in 2011, the Space Shuttle Discovery made its final landing after 39 flights.