1778: On this day 233 years ago, the US flag is formally recognized by French Admiral Motte, who rendered a nine-gun salute to the USS Ranger, commanded by John Paul Jones.
1859: Oregon is admitted as the 33rd state of the Union
1899: voting machines are approved for use in federal elections
1912: the first deisel-powered submarine is commissioned in Connecticut and Arizona becomes the 48th state
1945: the RAF and USAF conduct the first bombing of Dresden, the most controversial raid of the war
1956: Nikita Khrushchev condemns Joseph Stalin as a "monster" during a secret speech to the XX Congress of the Communist Party, his words are so contrary to the late-dictator's cult of personality, that many in attendance commit suicide
