237. ANTONIUS AFRICANUS GORDIAN, killed near Carthage by a general of
Maximinus, during whose reign he had been elected emperor, much against
his will.
323. Battle of Adrianople and overthrow of Lucinius, when Constantine
took possession of Byzantium, which he afterwards made the seat of his
empire, and named it Constantinopolis.
987. Inauguration at Rheims of Hugh Capet, son of Hugo, duke of
Burgundy, and founder of the third race in the French monarchy--the
Capetan.
1437. The sacred play of _The Passion_ represented in the park of
Vexmeil, attended by the French nobility.
1521. CORTEZ attempted to retake the city of Mexico by storm, but was
repulsed with the loss of 60 Spaniards, 1000 allies, 7 horses and 1
cannon. The Mexicans made prisoners of 40 Spaniards, who were
immediately sacrificed in their great temple to the war god.
1608. CHAMPLAIN, who took the charge of conducting the French colony in
Arcadie, after examining all the eligible places on the St. Lawrence,
selected a spot at the confluence of that river and the St. Charles,
about 320 miles from the sea, where he erected barracks, cleared the
ground for tillage, and on this day laid the foundation of Quebec.
1642. MARY DE MEDICIS, of France, died; the promoter of the massacre of
St. Bartholomews.
1672. FRANCIS WILLOUGHBY, an English naturalist, died. To rank and
fortune he added great application, and had traversed the principal
countries of Europe in pursuit of his favorite study, the history of
animals, when he was cut off at the early age of 37.
1676. Indian battle near Narraganset; the main body of the Indians were
surprised at a large cedar swamp, and attacked so suddenly that a
considerable number were killed or taken on the spot, and those who fled
into the thicket were surrounded. They lost 171 on this occasion.
1743. GABRIEL ROMANOVITCH DERSHAVIN, a celebrated Russian poet, died.
1769. The first theatrical performance enacted in Albany, by a company
from New York, having gained permission "for one month only" from "his
excellency the governor." The play was _Venice Preserved_; the place,
the hospital.
1776. Three towns in Turkey, containing 10,000 inhabitants, destroyed by
an earthquake.
1779. Grenada, in the West Indies, taken by the French under count
d'Estaing.
1789. JAMES BERNOUILLI II, a learned German mathematician, died of
apoplexy while bathing in the Neva at St. Petersburg.
1794. Earthquake in Natolia, Asia Minor, destroyed several large and
populous towns and villages, one of which was Amasia, the birth place of
Strabo.
1795. British squadron off St. Maloes captured a French brig and six
merchantmen.
1797. Admiral NELSON, in his barge, captured a Spanish launch, after a
severe engagement, in the course of which he narrowly escaped death, by
the assistance of his coxswain.
1807. British Capt. DOUGLAS threatened to capture all vessels from
Norfolk, unless the magistrates permitted him to have communication with
the British consul at that place; they refused.
1811. American government resolved to occupy West Florida; the British
government remonstrated against it.
1814. United States troops under Gen. Brown, effected a landing on the
Canadian frontier, between Chippewa and Fort Erie, which latter
surrendered.
1815. Commercial treaty between England and America signed at London.
1833. Naval battle between the fleet of Don Pedro, under the command of
admiral Napier, and that of Don Miguel, in which the latter was defeated
with the loss of 6 vessels.
1838. SAMUEL THORNTON, an English gentleman, distinguished for his
benevolence and usefulness, died, aged 83. He was 53 years a director of
the bank of England, and 40 years a member of parliament.
1849. The French republican army, commanded by Gen. Oudinot, entered
Rome.
1851. EDWARD QUILLINAN, a British author, died. He married a daughter of
the poet Wadsworth, and was particularly accomplished in Portuguese
literature.
1853. SAMUEL PUTNAM, a Massachusetts judge and senator, died at
Somerville, aged 85.
1853. The American expedition under commodore Perry, left Loo Choo for
Japan.
1854. Princess DE LA MOSKWA, widow of marshal Ney, died in Paris.
1854. THOMAS RITCHIE died, aged 75; celebrated as the editor of the
_Richmond Inquirer_ and the _Washington Union_. He wielded great
political influence in Virginia, his native state.
1855. The Cunard steamer Persia was launched at Glasgow.