1556: The deadliest earthquake in history, the Shaanxi earthquake, hits Shaanxi province, China. The death toll may have been as high as 830,000.
1849: Elizabeth Blackwell is awarded her M.D. becoming the United States' first female doctor.
1863: Toronto Stock Exchange introduces regular daily trading sessions.
1915: William Mackenzie drives the last spike of the troubled Canadian Northern Railway at Basque, BC.
1922: First successful test on a human patient with diabetes occurs with a dose of insulin conceived by Canadian physician Dr. F.G. Banting.
1973: United States President Richard Nixon announces that a peace accord has been reached in Vietnam.
1986: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts its first members: Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
2006: Stephen Harper leads Conservative Party of Canada to minority victory in the 39th general election, ending 13 years of Liberal rule.