1922 : The British Broadcasting Corporation, or BBC, the first national broadcasting corporation, is founded on this day in London.

1963 : Chuck Berry is released from prison after serving 20 months for a Mann Act violation (transporting a minor across state lines for immoral purposes).

1974 : Al Green’s “Grits Incident”: When a stewardess friend of Green’s shows up to meet the singer, he ends up at his Memphis home with her and his companion, Mary Woodson. When Green takes a bath, Woodson pours a pot of boiling grits in the tub, burning him badly before going in the next room and killing herself with his gun. Green takes these disturbing events as a sign from God and focuses his career on Gospel music and preaching.

1984 : Jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding is born in Portland, Oregon. She won the 2011 Grammy Award for Best New Artist, becoming the first Jazz artist to do so… while beating out nominee Justin Bieber in the process.

2008 : Adele is the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, performing “Cold Shoulder” and “Chasing Pavements.” Sarah Palin is on the show, which leads to a huge audience and lots of exposure for Adele, which gives her a huge boost in America.