Today in history

On this date:

In 556, Roman-born Pope Pelagius I became the 60th successor of St. Peter. He built the Church of the Twelve Apostles.

In 1189, St. Drogo, also called Druon, a Flemish saint who became a hermit in Sebourg, France, died. Today, he’s known as the patron saint of shepherds.

In 1825, Thomas Cochrane was appointed the first resident Governor of Newfoundland. He served until 1827.

In 1862, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery in the District of Columbia.

In 1867, American aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright was born.

In 1874, Provencher MP Louis Riel was expelled from the Commons as a fugitive. The Metis leader was wanted in Ontario for the 1870 execution of Orangeman Thomas Scott during the “Red River Uprising.”

In 1879, St. Bernadette Soubirous died at age 35 in Nevers, France. She was the humble visionary at Lourdes to whom Mary, the mother of Jesus, confirmed “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

In 1887, a rebuilt and enlarged Welland Canal opened for navigation between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.