Samuel Colt patents his revolver, the first black U.S. senator takes his seat, Muhammad Ali wins his first heavyweight title, and Ferdinand Marcos flees the Philippines, all on this day.
31 / 41
Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia Commons
1971: Actor Sean Astin, best known for his roles in movies such as "The Goonies," "Rudy" and the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is born in Santa Monica, Calif.