1692

Four men and one woman were hanged after being convicted of witchcraft at Salem in the Province of Massachusetts Bay; the story of one of the men, John Proctor, inspired Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible.”

1807

Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat arrived in Albany, two days after leaving New York on its maiden voyage.

1854

31 U.S. soldiers were killed after one of the soldiers fatally shot Brule Lakota Chief Conquering Bear, sparking the First Sioux War.

1934

German voters approved the vesting of sole executive power in Adolf Hitler.

1955

Torrential rains caused by Hurricane Diane resulted in severe flooding in the northeastern U.S., claiming some 200 lives.

Birthdays

Former President Bill Clinton is 78. Actor Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey”) is 76. Former First Lady Tipper Gore is 76. Rock bassist John Deacon (Queen) is 73. Football Hall of Famer Morten Andersen is 64. Actor John Stamos is 61. Country singer Lee Ann Womack is 58. Actor Erika Christensen is 42. Actor Melissa Fumero is 42. Olympic gold medal snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis (jay-kuh-BEHL’-ihs) is 39. Author Veronica Roth is 36. Rapper-TV personality Romeo is 35. Actor Ethan Cutkosky (TV: “Shameless”) is 25.