Today:
910 – The last major Viking army to raid England is defeated at the Battle of Tettenhall by a combined force of Saxons.
1305 – William Wallace, leader of the Scottish resistance against England, is captured by the English near Glasgow and transported to London for trial and execution.
1583 – Humphrey Gilbert establishes the first English colony in North America, at what is now St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
1620 – The Mayflower departs from Southampton, England on its first attempt to reach North America.
1763 – Pontiac’s War: Battle of Bushy Run – British forces led by Henry Bouquet defeat Chief Pontiac’s Native Americans at Bushy Run in Pennsylvania.
1858 – Cyrus West Field and others complete the first transatlantic telegraph cable after several unsuccessful attempts. It operated for less than a month.
1861 – American Civil War: In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levies the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% of all incomes over US$800; rescinded in 1872).
1884 – The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty is laid on Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island) in New York Harbor.
1914 – World War I: The German minelayer Königin Luise lays mines off the Thames Estuary. The Royal Navy sinks her the same day.
1962 – Nelson Mandela is jailed. He would not be released until 1990.
Disclaimer: Snake does not fact check these items. In fact, he doesn’t even read them before posting. Often he doesn’t read them after posting. If you have a complaint, click her