Pakistan gained independence from the British Empire – a day before India’s independence.
Source
Congress created the Oregon Territory, which included Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Western Montana.
Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, creating a government pension system for the retired.
The first-ever Japanese patent was issued.
A major blackout occurred in the Northeastern and Midwestern US along with Ontario, Canada.
Venezuelan political terrorist Carlos the Jackal was captured in Sudan.