1765

The Stamp Act, passed by the British Parliament, went into effect, prompting stiff resistance from American colonists.

1936

In a speech in Milan, Italy, Benito Mussolini described the alliance between his country and Nazi Germany as an “axis” running between Rome and Berlin.

1989

East Germany reopened its border with Czechoslovakia, prompting tens of thousands of refugees to flee to the West. East Germany would announce on Nov. 9 that it was opening its border crossings with West Berlin, prompting the fall of the Berlin Wall.