2005 – The Deep Impact space probe is launched from Cape Canaveral aboard a Delta II rocket. Its mission is to collide with and analyze the composition of the comet 9P/Tempel, which it would complete successfully in June 2005.
1997 – Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-81 enroute to the Mir space station.
1991 – The US Congress authorizes the use of military force to expel Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.
1986 – As Space Shuttle Columbia launches on mission STS-61C, Mission Specialist/Congressman Bill Nelson becomes the second sitting member of Congress to orbit the earth.
1979 – Pilatus Aircraft acquires Britten-Norman.
1975 – British Airways inaugurates Europe’s first no-reservations-needed shuttle, flying between London and Glasgow.
1973 – A US Navy F-4 Phantom scores the 197th and final US air-to-air victory of the Vietnam War.
1970 – Pan Am flies the first 747 ever delivered, Clipper Victor (reg: N736PA) on a proving flight between New York and London, which in the process becomes the first widebody aircraft to land at Heathrow Airport. Commercial service would commence on January 21st.
1969 – The New York Jets, so named in honor of the airport (LaGuardia) next to their Shea Stadium home, win Super Bowl III over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.
1939 – RAF forms the Auxiliary Air Force.
