1346: Battle of Crécy, south of Calais in northern France; Edward III’s English longbows defeat Philip VI’s army, cannons used for first time in battle

1682: English astronomer Edmond Halley first observes the comet named after him

1873: First free kindergarten in the U.S. started by Susan Blow in Carondelet, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri

1924: The Catastrophe of Smyrna: known as the Asia Minor Catastrophe to Greeks. The Ottoman army expels Greeks and other non-Turks from Asia Minor. (August 13 OS)

1937: General Franco’s Nationalist troops conquer Santander during the Spanish Civil War

1959: British Motor Corporation introduces the Morris Mini-Minor, designed by Alec Issigonis, it was only 10 ft long but seated 4 passengers

1996: US President Bill Clinton signs welfare reform into law, representing major shift in welfare policy

Source: Onthisday.com