1853 – The United States bought about 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase.

1903 – About 600 people died when fire broke out at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago, IL.

1922 – The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed.

1953 – The first color TV sets went on sale for about $1,175.

1972 – The United States halted its heavy bombing of North Vietnam.