Cape Breton Island was re-annexed to Nova Scotia–
The Tremont House in Boston, considered by many to be the first modern first-class hotel in the US, opens–
The first successful demonstration of ether took place at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts–
John Brown, U.S. abolitionist, led an unsuccessful raid on government arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, in what is now West Virginia–
Cardiff giant discovered in Cardiff, New York (near Syracuse)–
First Quebec vs. Ontario football game–
Margaret Sanger and others open the first birth control clinic, in Brooklyn, NY–
Sun-Times published first Ann Landers column by Eppie Lederer–
Two American black athletes at Olympic Games, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, demonstrate for black power while receiving their medals. They are suspended by the Olympic Committee.–
Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize–
The Roman Catholic College of Cardinals elected first non-Italian pope in 455 years, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla of Poland, who took the name John Paul II–