A Norwegian expedition became the first to ever reach the geographical South Pole – led by Roald Amundsen.
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The capital city of the Roman Empire, Constantinople, was severely damaged by an earthquake.
The Mariner 2 space probe completed the first-ever flyby of Venus.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, directed by J.J. Abrams, had its world premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.
The European Union formally opened accession negotiations with Ukraine.
A British surgeon admitted to branding his initials on patients' livers.
