TODAY IN HISTORY

In A.D. 64, the Great Fire of Rome began.

In 1536, the English Parliament passed an act declaring the authority of the pope void in England.

In 1739, a census put Canada’s population at 42,701. Canada has the distinction of completing the first modern-day head-count in an area larger than a city. That occurred in 1666, when the population of New France was recorded at 3,215.

In 1812, the use of the secret ballot was introduced in Britain.

In 1817, English novelist Jane Austen died at age 41.

In 1853, the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Union Railroad began operating between Toronto and Brantford, Ont.

In 1870, the Vatican I Ecumenical Council issued the proclamation “Pastor Aeternus,” declaring the pope’s primacy and infallibility in deciding faith and moral matters. Few Protestants agree with this doctrine.

In 1905, the “Dominion Act” created the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan effective Sept. 1.

In 1921, the United Farmers of Alberta won the provincial election. They remained in power until 1935, at which time the organization decided to avoid direct political involvement. In 1948, the organization changed its name to the United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative Ltd.

In 1940, the Democratic national convention in Chicago nominated U.S. President Roosevelt for an unprecedented third term in office.