TODAY IN HISTORY: “I’m not a crook”

In 1866, Vancouver Island was united with the colony of British Columbia. Vancouver Island was first visited by British explorer Captain James Cook in 1778. It was named for Captain George Vancouver, who explored and surveyed its coasts in 1792. The United States recognized the island as British territory in 1846.

In 1938, a trade agreement was signed in Washington between Canada and the United States.

In 1967, a melee erupted outside the U.S. Consulate in Montreal as 2,000 students protested the Vietnam War.

In 1968, Glen Campbell received gold records for both “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and “Gentle On My Mind.”

In 1973, U.S. President Richard Nixon told The Associated Press managing editors meeting in Orlando, Fla.: “People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I’m not a crook.”

In 1979, Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini ordered the release of 13 American hostages held at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

In 1981, the NDP under Howard Pawley won the Manitoba election, defeating the Progressive Conservative government.

In 1987, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Bell was selected the American League’s MVP. He was the first member of a Canadian-based major-league team to win an most valuable player award. (Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson also won the award in 2015.)