406: “The Great Invasion” sees a vast horde of Vandals, Alans, and Suebi cross the Rhine at Mainz, beginning the invasion of Gaul

1703: Genroku earthquake off the coast of Japan near Edo (modern-day Tokyo) kills thousands and triggers a large tsunami that kills thousands more

1744: English astronomer James Bradley announces the discovery of Earth’s nutation, or wobble

1775: Battle of Quebec: American Continental Army led by Richard Montgomery is defeated trying to take the British stronghold of Quebec City in the American Revolutionary War, General Montgomery is killed and Benedict Arnold is wounded

1861: A world record 22,990 mm of rain falls in a single year in Cherrapunji, Assam, India

1958: Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista informs his cabinet that he is fleeing the country

Source: Onthisday.com