TODAY IN HISTORY: ‘Dark day’ in Eastern Canada

In 1536, Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, was beheaded for adultery. Henry had married Anne three years before, after divorcing Catherine of Aragon. The divorce led to Henry’s excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church. Anne gave birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I, but did not produce the male heir Henry wanted. Anne was born in 1507 at Blicking Hall, Norfolk, daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn, later Earl of Wiltshire, and Lady Elizabeth Howard.

In 1649, following a civil war and the execution of King Charles I, England was declared a Commonwealth under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell.

In 1780, complete darkness fell on eastern Canada and the New England states at 2 p.m. Many people gathered in churches for comfort during the so-called “dark day.” Scientists believe smoke and ash from forest fires burning to the west in Canada and the United States most likely became concentrated into a dense cloud which was drawn across eastern North America by passing low pressure. This is supported by reports from Boston that the air smelled like a “malt-house or coal-kiln,” and that something resembling ash settled on pools of rain water.

In 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte created the French Legion of Honour, an order of distinction for civil or military service.

In 1889, doing 19.3 kilometres an hour, Jacob German of New York City became the first person arrested for speeding in an automobile.

In 1910, Earth passed through the tail of Halley’s Comet.

In 1935, British soldier-writer T.E. Lawrence, also known as “Lawrence of Arabia,” died in England from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash six days earlier. He was 46. Lawrence, who was born on Aug. 16, 1888, in Wales, became famous for his exploits as the British military liaison to the Arab Revolt during the First World War.

In 1958, the United States and Canada formally established the North American Air Defence Command.

In 1962, during a Democratic fundraiser at New York’s Madison Square Garden, actress Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday to You” to the guest of honour, U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

In 1967, the Soviet Union ratified a treaty with the United States and Britain, banning nuclear weapons from outer space.

In 1984, the Edmonton Oilers won their first of five Stanley Cups in seven years. They downed the visiting New York Islanders 5-2 to win the NHL final in five games.

In 1985, Air Canada and the union representing 2,900 striking ticket agents signed an agreement ending a three-week walkout.

In 1996, Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau began his second of three space missions. During his 11 days on the shuttle “Endeavour,” Garneau used the Canadian-built robot arm to retrieve a scientific satellite. He also performed several scientific experiments, including three developed by Canadians.

In 1996, the RCMP stormed an armed barricade to end a five-week standoff at the Waterhen native reserve in Manitoba. Thirty-two people were arrested.

In 1997, for the first time in four years, fishermen dropped their nets for cod off southern Newfoundland. A small commercial fishery reopened off the south coast and in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The fishery had been completely closed in 1993 due to declining stocks.

In 2005, Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Liberal government survived after Liberal Speaker Peter Milliken broke a tie on a confidence vote. It was the first time in Canadian history that happened on a confidence vote.