American swimmer Michael Phelps became the first person to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games.
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A law was passed declaring that the 'Palestinian Pound' could be used as legal tender in Palestine and Israel.
The Bank of Italy opened in San Francisco, California, and would later become Bank of America.
The Clermont steamboat by Robert Fulton made its maiden trip up the Hudson River.
Balloonist John Wise started the world's first airmail service by balloon from Lafayette to Crawfordsville, Indiana.
King Charles IX of France became an adult on his 13th birthday.
