TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1773, the ship, “Hector,” arrived at Brown’s Point, near Pictou, N.S. Hector carried 178 Scottish immigrants -- the first large wave of immigration that made Scots the predominant ethnic group in Nova Scotia. A replica ship was later built to commemorate the voyage and is on display in Pictou harbour.

In 1821, independence was proclaimed for Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

In 1830, the first passenger railway opened, running between Manchester and Liverpool, England.

In 1835, Charles Darwin reached the Galapagos Islands aboard “HMS Beagle.”

In 1860, Edward, Prince of Wales, visited Niagara Falls, where he witnessed a performance of the great French tightrope walker Blondin.

In 1916, tanks were used in combat for the first time by the British at the battle of Flers Courcelette, during the First World War.

In 1917, Russia was proclaimed a republic by Alexander Fyodorovich Kerensky, whose government was overthrown two months later by the Bolsheviks.

In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were passed in Germany, segregating Jews and adopting the swastika as the official German flag. The laws barred Jews from professional positions, stripped them of property and segregated them into ghettos.

In 1940, the Germans launched heavy bombing attacks on London and lost 60 aircraft.