On this day in 1924, Italian composer Giacomo Puccini died at the age of 66. His works included "La Boheme" and "Tosca."

On this day in 1929, American explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd flew over the South Pole following his triumphant first flight over the North Pole in 1926.

And on this day in 1989, Romanian gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Nadia Comaneci escaped to Hungary and asked for political asylum. Today she is a dual citizen of the United States and Romania. One of her most remarkable achievements is that she was the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect 10 in an Olympic gymnastics event.