A steamboat patent was granted to the American engineer and inventor Robert Fulton.
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Nelson Mandela was released from prison after being incarcerated for 27 years in South Africa.
The comic book 'Archie' was first published.
The Armenian-Turkish land border opened for the first time in 35 years.
The BBC broadcast the world's first science fiction television program, an adaptation of the play R.U.R.
The Holy Emperor Charles V and King Henry VIII of England became allies against France.
