1969: Freezing drizzle and heavy fog formed a heavy glaze on utility lines resulting in many broken power and telephone lines across northern South Dakota.

1855: Emperor Napoleon of France directed the construction of an innovative telegraphic network of weather observation centers to issue storm warnings in France.

1903: Pokegama Dam in Minnesota plunged to -59 degrees, which stood as the state record low until Tower made it to -60 in 1996.

1966: In Whenuapai, New Zealand, 4.2 inches of rain fell in 1 hour, setting the record for that time period in New Zealand.