TODAY IN history

In 1752, the Halifax Gazette, Canada’s first newspaper, began publishing weekly. It lasted until 1766 when it was suspended for criticizing the Stamp Act and was replaced by the Nova Scotia Gazette.

In 1903, the Wright brothers applied for a patent on their airplane.

In 1919, Benito Mussolini founded his Fascist political movement in Milan, Italy.

In 1994, Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings scored his 802nd career regular season goal, overtaking Gordie Howe as the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history. Gretzky scored in the second period of a home game against the Vancouver Canucks. Gretzky retired after the 1998-99 season with 894 career regular season goals (and a NHL record 122 playoff goals).

In 1998, “Titanic” sank the competition at the 70th Academy Awards. It won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Canadian-born director James Cameron. Its theme song, “My Heart Will Go On,” won best original song and was a huge hit for Canada’s Celine Dion.

In 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law a Us$940-billion landmark health care reform bill, presiding over the biggest shift in U.S. domestic policy since the 1960s and capping a divisive, year-long debate.

In 2011, Oscar-winning actress Elizabeth Taylor died of congestive heart failure. She was 79.