TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1446, the earliest known lottery was drawn in Bruges, Belgium.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued a papal bull outlining his calendar reforms that adjusted the number of leap years in the Julian calendar so it did not gain three full days every 400 years. The Gregorian calendar, as it became known, is still in general use today.

In 1633, English poet and cleric George Herbert died. His devotional poems, collected in “The Temple,” exemplify the metaphysical tradition.

In 1662, Bishop Laval of New France said people selling liquor to natives would be excommunicated.

In 1663, King Louis XIV of France cancelled the charter of the Company of 100. The Company had been given exclusive jurisdiction over fur trading in the New World in exchange for promises to colonize the territory. The Crown took over that responsibility.

In 1821, Mexico declared its independence from Spain.

In 1887, Vancouver lost its city charter following protests over the hiring of Chinese labourers.

In 1897, Emile Berliner took out a Canadian patent on his gramophone talking machine.

In 1920, a fledgling German political party held its first meeting of importance in Munich. Known as the Nazi party, its chief spokesman was Adolf Hitler.