1492 - Christopher Columbus notes 1st recorded reference to tobacco 1884 - Colonization of Africa orgainized at international conference in Berlin 1948 - Mackenzie King retires after spending 22 years as the Prime Minister of Canada 1969 - 250,000 peacefully demonstrate in Wash DC against Vietnam War 1988 - PLO proclaims State of Palestine, recognizes Israeli existence Read more @ http://www.onthisday.com/today/events.php