Peter Demeter convicted
In 1484, Pope Innocent VIII issued his Witch Bull, ordering an inquisition to systematically discover, torture and execute witches throughout Europe.
In 1837, William Lyon Mackenzie, journalist and politician, led a rebel force down Yonge Street from Montgomery's Tavern hoping to capture Toronto. The force was repelled by Loyalist guards who easily defeated the rebels two days later. Mackenzie fled to the United States for 10 years but returned to Canada after receiving a government pardon. He resumed his journalistic and political careers.
In 1848, U.S. president James K. Polk triggered the Gold Rush of ‘49 by confirming that gold had been discovered in California.
In 1854, the folding theatre chair was patented.
In 1893, the first electric car appeared. Built by Dickson’s Toronto, it could travel about 25 kilometres before getting its batteries recharged.
In 1933, prohibition ended in the United States.
In 1945, five U.S. Avenger torpedo bombers disappeared in the Bermuda triangle in one of the first documented paranormal events associated with the four-millionsquare-kilometre ocean area roughly defined by Bermuda, Puerto Rico and the southern tip of Florida. Believers say a large number of ships and planes have disappeared in the area under highly unusual circumstances. Skeptics say no more ships and planes are lost there than in any other heavily-travelled area of ocean.
In 1954, Canada announced the recall of its remaining troops from Korea.
In 1962, Claire Kirkland-Casgrain became the first female cabinet minister in Quebec.
In 1968, about 60 windows in the Quebec legislature were broken by snowballs during a demonstration. Thousands of students protested the expected introduction of a bill to safeguard English-language schools in the province. Police estimated 90 per cent of the students were under the age of 16.
In 1974, Peter Demeter, a wealthy developer from Mississauga, Ont., was convicted in the murder of his wife, Christine, and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
In 1975, the self-titled Fleetwood Mac album was certified gold — selling 500,000 copies in the U.S. It was the first album with new group members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.
In 1984, Canadian singer Bryan Adams won four Juno Awards for Best Male Vocalist, Best Producer, Best Composer, and Best Album for Reckless.
In 2003, Canadian Alliance members voted 96 per cent in favour of joining forces with the Progressive Conservatives for a new party called the Conservative Party of Canada.
In 2008, O.J. Simpson was sentenced to 33 years in prison with eligibility for parole after nine years, for kidnapping and robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room in September 2007. (He was granted parole effective Oct. 1, 2017).