TODAY IN HISTORY: Roof raised in ‘82

In 1832, the world’s first horsedrawn streetcar hit the streets in New York. It held 30 passengers who paid 12-and-a-half cents for the fare.

In 1849, Toronto became the seat of the Canadian government after a mob burned the Parliament buildings in Montreal earlier in the year.

In 1851, American author Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” was published.

In 1940, during the Second World War, German bombers destroyed most of the English city of Coventry.

In 1969, Apollo 12, with three astronauts aboard, was launched for a second lunar landing.

In 1973, the wedding of Princess Anne to Capt. Mark Phillips took place in Westminster Abbey, London. The marriage was dissolved in 1992.

In 1982, the inflatable roof of Vancouver’s B.C. Place was raised, completing Canada’s first domed stadium.

In 1991, the premiere of Michael Jackson’s video Black and White caused outrage among some TV viewers in the U.S. and Canada. Jackson announced the following day the video was being cut to remove a segment in which he smashed a car with a crowbar and grabbed his crotch several times. Jackson said it upset him to think Black or White could influence any child or adult to destructive behaviour, either sexual or violent.

In 1998, former prime minister Joe Clark was elected leader of the federal Conservative party for the second time. He had retired from politics five years earlier.

In 2002, John Paul II became the first pope to appear before Italian parliament, urging Italians to work for world peace, uphold their Christian values and have more babies.

In 2003, Paul Martin was elected leader of the federal Liberals at a convention in Toronto. The former finance minister received an unprecedented 94 per cent of the vote. His only competitor was Heritage Minister Sheila Copps.

In 2010, five Canadian tourists from B.C. and Alberta and two Mexican employees were killed when a massive explosion ripped through the lobby of the Grand Princess Riviera Hotel in the city of Playa del Carmen, Mexico.