1776

Thomas Paine anonymously published his influential pamphlet, “Common Sense,” which argued for American independence from British rule.

1861

Florida became the third state to secede from the Union prior to the Civil War.

1863

The London Underground was born when the Metropolitan Railway, the world’s first underground passenger railway, opened to the public with service between Paddington and Farringdon Street.

1982

San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark caught a touchdown pass from Joe Montana with 58 seconds left in the NFC Championship Game; one of the most famous plays in NFL history, “The Catch” led the 49ers to a 28-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys and a berth in Super Bowl XVI, where they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals for their first Super Bowl victory.

1920

The League of Nations was established as the Treaty of Versailles went into effect.

Birthdays

Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bill Toomey is 86. Singer Rod Stewart is 80. Rock singer-musician Donald Fagen is 77. Boxing Hall of Famer George Foreman is 76. Singer Pat Benatar is 72. Hall of Fame racing driver and team owner Bobby Rahal is 72. Actor-comedian Jemaine Clement is 51. Businessman Jared Kushner is 44.