ON THIS DAY

1848: US President James Polk turned on the first gas light at the White House.

1857: British and French forces take Canton in China.

1890: US troops massacre several hundred Sioux at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

1911: Sun Yat-sen became the first president of a republican China.

1934: Japan renounces Washington naval treaty limiting naval armaments.

1940: German bombers inflict greatest damage on London since Great Fire of 1666.

1996: Guatemalan government and guerrilla leaders officially agree to end 36 years of conflict.

2014: A ferry carrying 478 people catches fire off the Greek Island of Corfu, killing 12.

US actress Mary Tyler Moore (19362017); Australian cricketer David Boon (1960-); British actor Jude Law (1972-).