George Herman "Babe" Ruth was born in a rough Baltimore waterfront neighborhood, the future slugger who would transform baseball.

George Herman 'Babe' Ruth Jr., who would redefine baseball with his home-run power, was born in Baltimore, Maryland.

Oscar Wilde was convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years' hard labor, a verdict that devastated his career and health.

Louis Pasteur, the chemist whose germ theory and vaccines transformed medicine, died at his home outside Paris at age 72.

Wilhelm Röntgen noticed a mysterious glow from a barium platinocyanide screen while experimenting with cathode rays, discovering X-rays in his Würzburg lab.

Alfred Nobel signed his final will in Paris, leaving his fortune to fund prizes in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace.

The Lumière brothers held the first commercial public film screening at the Grand Café in Paris, launching the age of cinema.