TODAY IN HISTORY: Canadian gold, 50 years apart

In 1446, the earliest known lottery was drawn in Bruges, Belgium.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued a papal bull outlining his calendar reforms that adjusted the number of leap years in the Julian calendar so it did not gain three full days every 400 years. The Gregorian calendar, as it became known, is still in general use today.

In 1662, Bishop Laval of New France said people selling liquor to natives would be excommunicated.

In 1821, Mexico declared its independence from Spain.

In 1887, Vancouver lost its city charter following protests over the hiring of Chinese labourers.

In 1897, Emile Berliner took out a Canadian patent on his gramophone talking machine.

In 1920, a fledgling German political party held its first meeting of importance in Munich. Known as the Nazi party, its chief spokesman was Adolf Hitler.

In 1938, nylon was produced for the first time in Arlington, N.J., for use as toothbrush bristles. It also quickly became popular in women’s stockings.

In 1952, the Edmonton Mercurys won the Olympic hockey title in Oslo, Norway. Canadian teams won six of the seven Olympic hockey tournaments between 1920 and ‘52. They posted a record of 371-3, scoring 403 goals and allowing only 34. Canada did not win another hockey gold medal until the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Canada’s Olympic hockey medal count during the 50-year drought was three silvers (1960, ‘92 and ‘94) and one bronze (‘68). (Canada won gold again at the 2010 Vancouver Games and 2014 Sochi Games.)

In 1976, the Trudeau government unveiled its “peace and security” legislation. It included the abolition of hanging, increased minimum sentences for murder, stricter gun control and wider police wiretapping powers.

In 1981, Prince Charles became engaged to Lady Diana Spencer. They were married that July 29th.

In 1986, Tommy Douglas, remembered as the father of medicare, died at age 81. As Saskatchewan premier from 1944-61, he implemented Canada’s first public hospital insurance program.

In 1991, the ground campaign began in the Gulf War with an allied night attack. More than 14,000 Iraqis were captured in the first 24 hours.

In 1992, General Motors reported a $4.5 billion loss for 1991. The same day, the auto giant said it would close a dozen North American plants by 1995, including a foundry in St. Catharines, Ont.

In 1993, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced he was stepping down after more than eight years in office. He said his greatest disappointment was the failure of the Meech Lake constitutional accord. In June, Kim Campbell won the Tory leadership and served briefly as prime minister.

In 1993, Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster Danny Gallivan died at age 75. He was the English voice of the Montreal Canadiens from 1952-84.

In 2000, the United States suspended the export of guns to Canada.

In 2002, Canada’s 50-year wait for an Olympic men’s hockey title ended. Joe Sakic scored twice and assisted on two other goals as Canada downed the United States 5-2 in Salt Lake City.