656: Ali ibn Abu Talib elected the 4th Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate

1579: English navigator Francis Drake lands on the coast of California at Drakes Bay, names it “New Albion”

1631: Mumtaz Mahal dies during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan I, then spends more than 20 years building her tomb, the Taj Mahal

1789: French Revolution: During the meeting of the Estates-General, the Third Estate proclaims itself the ‘National Assembly’

1837: Charles Goodyear obtains his 1st rubber patent

1856: Republican Party opens its 1st national convention in Philadelphia

Source: Onthisday.com