MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY

2018: American politician George H.W. Bush, who was the 41st president of the United States (1989–93), died at the age of 94.

2007: American motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel—who was known for his death-defying stunts, which included a spectacular jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas (1968)—died at the age of 69. [ Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about famous Americans.]

2001: The hunt for the Green River Killer ended as Gary Ridgway was arrested in Washington, and he later pled guilty to killing 48 women, though he claimed to have murdered as many as 80; he was the deadliest convicted serial killer in the United States. Learn about seven of history's most notorious serial killers.]

1999: Exxon and Mobil formally merged, becoming ExxonMobil, one of the world's leading oil and energy businesses. [ Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about oil and natural gas.]

1996: A block of gray sandstone known as the Stone of Scone was returned to Scotland, 700 years after it had been taken to England as war booty by King Edward I. [ Test your knowledge of England, Scotland, and Wales.]

1982: American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson released Thriller , which became the best-selling album in the world and won a record-setting eight Grammy Awards. [Test your knowledge of pop music.]