On this date:

In 1506, the foundation stone was laid during a celebration overseen by Pope Julius II to begin construction of the new St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

In 1521, at the Diet of Worms, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V condemned Martin Luther, a year after the latter had been excommunicated by Pope Leo X. Luther, a proud man, refused to repent despite the severe action taken against him.

In 1775, Paul Revere began his famous ride from Charlestown to Lexington, Mass., warning American colonists that the British were coming.

In 1793, the first newspaper in Upper Canada – the “Upper Canada Gazette” – was published.

In 1874, the remains of British missionary-explorer David Livingstone were interred in Westminster Abbey in London.

In 1906, a devastating earthquake measuring an estimated 8.3 on the Richter scale struck San Francisco. The quake and ensuing fires killed an estimated 4,000 people and caused $500 million in damage.

In 1923, the first game was played at New York’s Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth homered as the Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-1. The stadium became known as “The House That Ruth Built.” In 2009, the Yankees unveiled the new Yankee Stadium at a cost of US$1.5 billion. Before the Yankees batted in the bottom of the first, they placed Ruth’s bat across home plate.

In 1932, the Ford Model B, last of the original four-cylinder cars, made its debut.