The scientist Steven Pinker

Events in 1954 and 18-9

Events in the world in the birth year of Steven Pinker

• Nasser becomes premier of Egypt (April 17).
• Geneva Conference is convened to bring peace to Vietnam (April to July). The country is divided at the 17th parallel, pending democratic elections.
• Dien Bien Phu, French military outpost in Vietnam, falls to Viet Minh army (May 7). Background: Vietnam War
• Eight-nation Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty (establishing SEATO) signed at Manila (Sept. 8).
• Paris agreements grant West Germany sovereignty and admittance to NATO and Western European Union (Oct. 23; effective May, 1955).
• Algerian War of Independence against France begins (Oct. 31).

Birthday Steven Pinker (18-9) in history

• Day 18-9 year 1759: The French city of Quebec surrendered to the British after the September 13 battle on the Plains of Abraham. It was the final battle of the French and Indian Wars, and French General Montcalm and British General Wolfe died in battle.
• Day 18-9 year 1810: Chile declared independence, freed from Spanish rule.
• Day 18-9 year 1850: Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, which required the return of escaped slaves to their owners.
• Day 18-9 year 1851: The first edition of The New York Daily Times, which later became The New York Times, was published.
• Day 18-9 year 1947: The National Security Act, which unified the Army, Navy, and Air Force, was passed.
• Day 18-9 year 1961: Secretary-General of the UN Dag Hammarskjold was killed in a plane crash in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia).
• Day 18-9 year 1970: 27-year-old rock star, Jimi Hendrix, died in London.
• Day 18-9 year 1999: Sammy Sosa became the first player in major league baseball history to hit 60 homers in two seasons.