TODAY IN history

On this date:

In 1483, Pope Sixtus IV launched the Spanish Inquisition, placing it under the joint direction of the Catholic Church and state. Tomas de Torquemada, 63, was appointed Grand Inquisitor in charge of removing Jews and Muslims from Spain.

In 1760, the British began destroying fortifications at Louisbourg, N. S. The British used powerful explosives on the French fortress they had captured in 1758. Their aim was to render the site useless as a military base in the event of reoccupation by the French.

In 1961, Parks Canada began reconstruction of Louisbourg based on the colony’s well- preserved historical records and archeological investigation. It is now a major visitor attraction.

In 1777, British general John Burgoyne surrendered to American forces at Saratoga, N. Y., giving the Americans their first major victory of the revolutionary war.

In 1854, British and French forces began the siege of the Russian fortress of Sevastopol in the Crimea.

In 1878, John A. Macdonald was sworn in as prime minister of Canada for the second time. He held the post until his death in 1891.

In 1907, public transatlantic wireless service was begun with a message sent to Britain from Table Head, N. S.

In 1910, the first cruiser of the Royal Canadian Navy, “HMS Niobe,” arrived at Halifax.

In 1933, Albert Einstein arrived in the United States as a refugee from Nazi Germany.