1853

Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Il Trovatore” premiered in Rome.

1861

Georgia became the fifth state to secede from the Union; it would join the Confederacy the following month.

1937

Howard Hughes set a new transcontinental air speed record in his H-1 Racer aircraft, flying from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey, in seven hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds.

1942

A German submarine sank the Canadian liner RMS Lady Hawkins off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, killing 251 people; 71 survived.

1955

U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower held the first-ever televised presidential press conference.

1966

Indira Gandhi was elected to her first term as prime minister of India.

Birthdays

Basketball coach and commentator Jeff Van Gundy is 63. Tennis Hall of Famer Stefan Edberg is 59. Actor Shawn Wayans is 54. Actor Drea (DRAY-uh’) de Matteo is 53. Football Hall of Famer Walter Jones is 51. Comedian-impressionist Frank Caliendo is 51. Actor Jodie Sweetin is 43. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is 43. Film director Damien Chazelle is 40. Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Shawn Johnson is 33.