1910 - William Shockley was born. His works led to electronic circuit miniaturization (so that your PC isn't bigger than the house you live in); his surname suggests he may have stuck his bare fingers to live terminals quite frequently.

1923 - Chuck Yeager was born. Although he is officially recorded as the first man to break the sound barrier, many others have claimed the title with just cabbage, eggs or a can of beans...

1945 - Dresden: initial beginnings to a scene of an explosive, highly-lit Valentine's Day:
war is war but still not a good remembrance.