1621: Dutch West India Company receives charter for the West Indies (the Americas, Caribbean and West Africa)

1929: Chile and Peru sign the Treaty of Lima, finally resolving their border dispute from the War of the Pacific (1879–83). Chile keeps Arica and Peru regains Tacna.

1943: A mob of 60 from the Los Angeles Naval Reserve Armory beats up everyone perceived to be Hispanic, starting the week-long Zoot Suit Riots

1979: Ixtoc I rig in the Gulf of Mexico blows out, spilling 3 million barrels of oil in one of the worst oil spills in history

1989: Beginning of the Tiananmen Square Massacre as Chinese troops open fire on pro-democracy supporters in Beijing

Source: Onthisday.com