1870

The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting Black American men the right to vote, was ratified.

1913

The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, providing for a federal income tax, was ratified.

1943

During World War II, the U.S. transport ship SS Dorchester, which was carrying troops to Greenland, sank after being hit by a German torpedo in the Labrador Sea; only some 230 of the 900 aboard survived.

1959

Rock-and-roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson died in a small plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. The tragedy would be referred to as “the day the music died.”

1966

The Soviet probe Luna 9 became the first manmade object to make a soft landing on the moon.

2002

The New England Patriots won their first Super Bowl, defeating the St. Louis Rams 20-17.

Birthdays

Football Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 85. Actor Blythe Danner is 82. Football Hall of Famer Bob Griese is 80. Singer-guitarist Dave Davies is 78. Actor Morgan Fairchild is 75. Actor Nathan Lane is 69. Actor Maura Tierney is 60. Basketball Hall of Famer Vlade Divac is 57. Actor Warwick Davis is 55. Actor Isla Fisher is 49.