On this day in 1988, Mikhail Gorbachev assumed the Soviet presidency and named himself head of the Supreme Soviet.

In 1880, Thomas Edison began the commercial production of electric lamps at Edison Lamp Works in Menlo Park.

In 1890, The U.S. Congress passed the McKinley Tariff Act. The act raised tariffs to a record level.

In 1936, General Francisco Franco was proclaimed the head of the Spanish state.

In 1943, Naples was captured by the Allied forces during World War II.

In 1964, The Free Speech Movement was started at the University of California at Berkeley.

In 1972, The Chinese government approved friendly relations with the United States.

In 1979, The United States handed control of the Canal Zone over to Panama.

In 1992, The Strategic Arm Reduction Treaty was approved by the U.S. Senate.

In 1994, The U.S. and Japan avoided a trade war by reaching a series of trade agreements.

In 1999, The 50th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China was celebrated in Beijing.