today in history

In 12 AD, the Roman Emperor Caligula, whose many unusual acts included naming his horse a senator of Rome, was born.

In 1290, a proclamation from King Edward I exiled all Jews from England, under penalty of death.

In 1870, doctor and educator Maria Montessori was born at Chiaravalle, Italy. Montessori developed a system of education for children aged three to six based on spontaneity and freedom from restraint, without formal rewards or punishments. Her system, later expanded to include older children, became popular throughout the world.

In 1886, Charleston, S.C., was almost completely destroyed and at least 60 people were killed by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the eastern United States.

In 1887, American inventor Thomas Edison received a patent for his “Kinetoscope,” a device that produced moving pictures.

In 1888, London prostitute Mary Ann “Polly” Nicholls became the first victim of Jack the Ripper.

In 1969, American Rocky Marciano, the only world heavyweight boxing champion to retire undefeated, died in a plane crash near Newton, Iowa. He was headed to a party to be held the next day marking his 46th birthday. Marciano held the crown for three years before retiring in 1955 with a 49-0 record.

In 1976, Carallyn Bowes became the first woman to run across Canada. It took her 133 days to run from Halifax to Burnaby, B.C.

In 1984, Canada’s music video television service, MuchMusic, went on the air.