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

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

1873: The first free kindergarten in the United States is started by Susan Blow in Carondelet, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri

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 is only 10 feet long yet seats four passengers

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

Source: Onthisday.com