1919

In Boston, a tank containing an estimated 2.3 million gallons (8.7 million liters) of molasses burst, flooding the city’s North End and killing 21 people.

1929

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta.

1943

Work was completed on the Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of War (now Defense).

1967

The Green Bay Packers of the National Football League defeated the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League 35-10 in the first AFL-NFL World Championship Game, known retroactively as Super Bowl I.

2001

Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia maintained by volunteer editors, made its debut.

2009

US Airways Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger landed an Airbus A320 safely in the Hudson River after striking a flock of birds that disabled both engines shortly after takeoff; all 155 people aboard survived.

Birthdays

Actor Andrea Martin is 78. Football Hall of Famer Randy White is 72. Actor-director Mario Van Peebles is 68. Actor-director Regina King is 54. Former NFL quarterback Drew Brees is 46. Rapper-reggaeton artist Pitbull is 44. DJ-music producer Skrillex is 37.