James H Mason patented the first US coffee percolator.
Source
A devastating tsunami and earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean.
The horror film 'The Exorcist,' based on book and screenplay by William Peter Blatty, premiered.
Jack Ruby's gun, which was used to kill Lee Harvey Oswald, sold for $220,000 in an auction.
JonBenét Ramsey was found dead.
Judy Garland made her show business debut.
