The Spanish National Assembly officially abolished slavery in Puerto Rico.
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America built the first rocket to reach an altitude of 50 miles (80 km).
Karl Wallenda of The Flying Wallendas died after falling off a tightrope between two hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
New York became the first US court to allow blood test results to be used as evidence.
The super-bright comet 'Hale-Bopp' reached its closest point to Earth at a distance of 1.215 AU, making it visible to the naked eye.
The St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line became the world's first scheduled flight.
