1859

British naturalist Charles Darwin published “On the Origin of Species,” which explained his theory of evolution by means of natural selection.

1865

Mississippi became the first Southern state to enact laws that came to be known as “Black Codes” aimed at limiting the rights of newly freed Blacks; other states of the former Confederacy soon followed.

1991

Queen singer Freddie Mercury died in London at age 45 of AIDS-related pneumonia.