1347. LOUIS V, emperor of Germany, killed by a fall from his horse. This
event prevented a new civil war, which threatened the happiness of
Germany.
1441. The government of Venice prohibited the printing and vending of
playing cards by foreigners in those dominions.
1492. COLUMBUS discovered the Bahama islands, his first discovery of
land.
1521. LEO X issued a decree, conferring upon Henry VIII of England the
title of Defender of the Faith.
1531. ULRICUS ZUINGLIUS, an able and zealous Swiss reformer, killed in a
skirmish with his popish opponents.
1611. JOHN COWELL, an English lawyer and antiquary, died; author of some
works on the law.
1612. The remains of MARY, queen of Scots, removed to a vault in Henry
VIII's chapel, where a most magnificent monument was erected to her
memory.
1614. Charter granted to "the United New Netherland company," giving it
the exclusive right to visit and trade with the countries in America,
lying between the 40th and 45th degrees of north latitude. This country
was now for the first time called New Netherland.
1643. JOHN DU VERGER DE HAURANE died; an eminent French ecclesiastic,
who formed a new system of faith, which becoming popular, drew upon him
the resentment of Richelieu.
1698. Treaty between England, France and Holland, for the partition of
Spain.
1698. WILLIAM MOLYNEUX, an eminent Irish mathematician, died. He was
ardently devoted to science, founded the philosophical society of
Ireland, and invented a telescope dial.
1702. Battle of Vigo; the British admiral Rooke attacked the French
fleet and Spanish batteries. The French destroyed 8 ships, and the
British burnt 6 galleons richly laden with goods and plate, valued at
14,000,000 pieces of eight; they also razed the fortifications, and
brought off 10 ships of war and 11 galleons, with 7,000,000 pieces of
eight.
1705. WILLIAM AMONTONS, an eminent French mechanic, died. He suggested
some improvements in barometers and thermometers, and invented a method
of communicating intelligence, which has since been adopted under the
name of telegraph.
1709. Mons taken by the allies.
1727. EDWARD COLSTON, an English philanthropist, died. He acquired
wealth by commerce with Spain, with which he endowed numerous
charitable institutions.
1736. Great storm on the river Ganges; 300,000 lives are supposed to
have been lost.
1750. JOHN BAPTIST JOSEPH LANGUET died; the celebrated vicar of St.
Sulpice at Paris, who refused all preferments, and devoted the revenues
which he collected to the institution and support of judiciously planned
charitable establishments.
1752. THOMAS STACKHOUSE, a learned, pious but necessituous divine, died.
1776. The Americans under general Arnold attacked on lake Champlain by
the British under captain Pringle. Arnold lost two gondolas taken and
one blown up, and was forced to retreat, owing to the inferiority of his
force.
1779. Several individuals who had voluntarily remained in King's bench
prison, London, for the purpose of letting their rooms, were turned out.
1790. HENRY CULLEN, an eminent physician of Edinburgh, died.
1791. The bank of Providence, the first bank in Rhode Island, began to
discount.
1797. Battle off Camperdown, between the British fleet, 17 vessels,
admiral Duncan, and Dutch fleet, 23, admiral Winter. The Dutch were
defeated with the loss of 9 ships.
1808. JOHN PAGE, governor of Virginia, died; a patriot, statesman and
philosopher.
1817. ANDREW PICKENS, a distinguished revolutionary officer, died, aged
78. He commenced his military career in the French war which terminated
in 1763. He was one of those who indefatigably kept up the spirit of
resistance in South Carolina, till the enemy was expelled.
1820. The printers of London went in grand procession to Brandenburgh
house to present an address to queen Caroline. It was printed on white
satin, and was a superior specimen of typographical skill.
1837. SAMUEL WESLEY, a distinguished English musician, died. "His
compositions are grand and masterly; his melodies sweet, varied and
novel; his harmonies bold, imposing, unexpected and sublime; his
resources boundless."
1841. WILLIAM LIDDIARD, an admired and popular English writer in prose
and verse, died at Clifton, aged 68.
1841. GEORGE MAIRS, an eminent preacher of the Associate reformed
presbyterian church, died at Argyle, N. Y., aged 81.
1846. Great hurricane in Havana, which began on the previous evening,
wrecked or severely injured nearly 100 vessels, destroyed 1275 houses,
and injured as many more.
1848. The Hungarian army advanced to within six miles of Vienna; their
videttes being visible from the city towers.
1855. The propeller Arctic and the barque Release, under command of
Lieut. Hartstene, forming the arctic expedition in search of Dr. Kane
and his companions, arrived in New York, bringing with them the objects
of their search.