TODAY IN HISTORY: Lighthouse debuts

In 1878, petroleum jelly received its Vaseline trademark.

In 1969, the 13-piece Canadian rock band Lighthouse made its debut at the Rock Pile in Toronto. The group was formed by drummer and singer Skip Prokop and keyboardist and vibraphonist Paul Hoffert. Among “Lighthouse's” hits in the early 1970s were “Hats Off (to the Stranger),” “Sunny Days,” “One Fine Morning” and “Pretty Lady.”

In 1981, a Vatican spokesman reported that Pope John Paul was strong enough to recite prayers and impart blessings to his doctors and nurses. The pontiff had been shot the previous day. In 1986, a blizzard with 80 km/h winds and knee-deep snow surprised south-central Alberta.

In 2008, the United States listed polar bears as a threatened species, marking the first time a U.S. species had been given legal protection because of the effects of global warming.

In 2010, MPs struck an eleventh-hour deal to avert a parliamentary showdown — and possible snap election — over how to handle sensitive Afghan detainee documents. The Conservative government and Opposition MPs agreed to establish a small, all-party committee sworn to secrecy ensuring genuine national security would remain protected.

In 2013, the B.C. Liberals defied months of abysmal polling numbers to win their fourth consecutive provincial election. Premier Christy Clark led the party to an expanded majority but lost her Vancouver-area riding. She won a byelection in July.