TODAY IN HISTORY: The suicide of Nero

In 68 AD, the brutal and paranoid Roman emperor Nero committed suicide at age 31. Nero is regarded as one of the worst of Rome's emperors, better known for devoting himself to horse racing, singing, dancing and sexual exploits than administrative duties. He is often accused of "fiddling while Rome burned" although historians generally agree that he did in fact try to control the fire that destroyed much of the city in 64 AD.

In 1549, the Church of England adopted "The Book of Common Prayer," compiled by Thomas Cranmer.

In 1793, the importation of slaves into Upper Canada was prohibited.

In 1846, a fire ravaged St. John's, Nfld., leaving nearly 12,000 people homeless.

In 1866, a 20-year-old Irish soldier won the only Victoria Cross awarded for an act of valour on Canadian soil. Private Timothy O'Hea saved 800 German immigrants locked in converted boxcars on a train stopped at Danville, Que. All by himself, O'Hea put out a fire in another boxcar filled with ammunition before it exploded.

In 1870, British author Charles Dickens died at age 58. He wrote 15 major novels, including "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Oliver Twist," as well as countless short stories and articles.

In 1902, the Automat Restaurant, the first restaurant with food vending machines, opened in Philadelphia.

In 1940, during the Second World War, Norway decided to surrender to the Nazis, effective at midnight.

In 1959, one of Canada's most sensational criminal cases began when 12-year-old Lynne Harper was murdered near the southwestern Ontario community of Clinton. Fourteen-year-old Steven Truscott was convicted and served 10 years in prison. In 2007, the Ontario Court of Appeal unanimously overturned that conviction, declaring the case "a miscarriage of justice."

In 1968, the first national televised debate of Canadian political leaders was held. It featured Pierre Trudeau, Robert Stanfield, Tommy Douglas and Real Caouette.

In 1973, "Secretariat" became thoroughbred horse racing's first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.

In 2010, Patrick Kane's goal in overtime ended the longest active title drought in the NHL as the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in Game 6 and hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1961.