Benjamin Franklin History: April 17, 1790 - Benjamin Franklin, statesman and inventor, dies at 84 May 23, 1785 - Benjamin Franklin announces his invention of bifocals July 26, 1775 - 1st Postmaster General: Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania takes office September 11, 1773 - Benjamin Franklin writes "There never was a good war or bad peace" November 30, 1753 - Benjamin Franklin receives Godfrey Copley-Penny May 10, 1752 - Benjamin Franklins 1st tests the lightning rod June 11, 1742 - Benjamin Franklin invents his Franklin stove February 16, 1741 - Benjamin Franklin's General Magazine, 2nd U.S. magazine begins publishing November 8, 1731 - In Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin opens 1st U.S. library September 1, 1730 - Benjamin Franklin marries Miss Read October 11, 1726 - Benjamin Franklin returns to Philadelphia from England July 23, 1726 - Benjamin Franklin sails back to Philadelphia January 4, 1725 - Benjamin Franklin arrives in London December 24, 1724 - Benjamin Franklin arrives in London January 17, 1706 - Benjamin Franklin, Boston, kite flyer, statesman, and inventor
More Notable Events on December 19:
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1991 6,000th episode of One Life To Live
1991 Boris Yeltsin takes control of Kremlin
1989 Larry Bird, of the Celtics, begins NBA free throw streak of 71 games
1972 Apollo 17, last of Apollo Moon landing series, returns to Earth