1933

Germany’s parliament building, the Reichstag, was gutted by fire; Chancellor Adolf Hitler, blaming communists, used the fire to justify suspending civil liberties.

1942

The Battle of the Java Sea began during World War II; Japanese naval forces scored a decisive victory over the Allies.

1951

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting a president to two terms in office, was ratified.

1973

Members of the American Indian Movement occupied the hamlet of Wounded Knee in South Dakota, the site of the 1890 massacre of Sioux men, women and children; the occupation would last for over two months.

1991

Operation Desert Storm came to a conclusion as President George H.W. Bush declared in a White House address that “Kuwait is liberated, Iraq’s army is defeated.”

2010

In Chile, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami killed 525 people and caused up to $30 billion in damage.

Birthdays

Actor Joanne Woodward is 95. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is 91. Rock musician Neal Schon is 71. Jockey Kent Desormeaux is 55. Singer Chilli (TLC) is 54. Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez is 49. Singer Josh Groban is 44. Actor Kate Mara is 42.