1648 - French theologian Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet obtains his first thesis in theology with Louis II de Bourbon‚ Prince of Condé‚ as a witness 1721 - Tsar Peter the Great makes the Moscow patriarchate and Russian Orthodox Church subordinate to the state 1904 - 179 die in coal mine explosion at Cheswick‚ Pennsylvania 1904 - John Millington Synge's play "Riders to the Sea" premieres in Dublin 1909 - Richard Strauss' one-act opera "Elektra" premieres in Dresden 1959 - 1st transcontinental commercial jet flight (American) (LA to NY for $301) 1964 - Dale Wasserman's stage play "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"‚ adapted from the novel by Ken Kesey‚ starring Kirk Douglas‚ Ed Ames; Joan Tetzel‚ and Gene Wilder‚ closes at Cort Theatre‚ NYC‚ after 82 performances 1988 - Ramsewak Shankar sworn in as President of Suriname 1989 - Augusto Alcalde‚ 1st South American Zen teacher‚ receives Dharma Transmission 1996 - Ottawa Senators set an NHL record with 16th consecutive home game without a win (0-15-1) in a 4-2 loss to Detroit at the Palladium; old record (15) shared by 1928 Black Hawks and 1939 Canadiens More Historical Events »