MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY

2019: Bolivian labour leader Evo Morales, the first indigenous president of Bolivia, resigned under pressure after monitors claimed that the election—for his fourth term in office—had irregularities, a claim later challenged. [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about South America.]

2015: German politician and publisher Helmut Schmidt—who, as chancellor of West Germany (1974–82), was one of the most respected and influential of western Europe's leaders—died at age 96. [How much do you know about German history?]

2007: American novelist and journalist Norman Mailer—who was best known for using a form of journalism (called New Journalism ) that combines the imaginative subjectivity of literature with the more objective qualities of journalism—died in New York. [Test your knowledge of famous writers.]

2001: After 15 years of negotiations, China's membership in the World Trade Organization was approved, and the following day Taiwan 's membership was approved. [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about China.]

1990: The American comedy Home Alone, written by John Hughesand starring Macaulay Culkin, had its world premiere; a huge hit, it spawned a number of sequels and became a TV staple during the Christmas holidays. [ Test your knowledge of pop culture.]

1982: Soviet statesman and Communist Party leader Leonid Brezhnev died in Moscow after presiding as the leader of the Soviet Union for more than 18 years. [ How much do you know about Russian history?]