TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1529, eight years after the Diet of Worms was convened by the Holy Roman Emperor, a protestation was published against it by several cities including Strasbourg, Nuremberg and Ulm, and from that evolved the term Protestant.

In 1775, the American Revolutionary War began with the battles of Lexington and Concord.

In 1824, English poet Lord Byron died in Greece of malaria at age 36.

In 1839, the Treaty of London made Belgium and Holland separate countries.

In 1850, Britain and the United States signed a treaty to build the Panama Canal. Washington later built the canal on its own.

In 1862, Simon Fraser, who explored the B.C. river that bears his name, died in St. Andrews West, Ont., at 85.

In 1877, Ole Evinrude, the Norwegian-American who invented the outboard motor in 1909, was born.

In 1882, Charles Darwin, originator of the theory of organic evolution through natural selection, died at 73.

In 1883, Quebec’s Parliament buildings burned down.

In 1897, the first Boston Marathon was held. Winner John J. McDermott ran the course in two hours, 55 minutes and 10 seconds.

In 1904, fire raged through downtown Toronto, causing an estimated $12 million in damage and destroying 104 buildings. Amazingly, there were no deaths.