King Louis I of Holland abdicated in favor of his son Napoléon Louis.
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The Cassini–Huygens spacecraft became the first to enter Saturn's orbit.
Japanese whaling ships officially resumed activities after a thirty-one-year hiatus.
The Morse code distress signal 'SOS,' originating from Germany, became the world's official message for help.
The US aired its first-ever TV commercial.
Sony's iconic Walkman first went on sale in Japan.
