Source: HistoryNet.com
0303: Emperor Diocletian orders the general persecution of Christians in Rome.
1516: The Hapsburg Charles I succeeds Ferdinand in Spain.
1540: Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado begins his unsuccessful search for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold in the American Southwest.
1836: The Alamo is besieged by Santa Anna.
1893: Former Governor General Lord Stanley donates the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup - later known as the Stanley Cup - to the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association Champions.
1954: Mass inoculation begins as Salk's polio vaccine is given to children for first time.
1963: Beginning of terrorist activities in Quebec as a Molotov cocktail is thrown through the window of English-language radio station CKGM in Montreal. The Réseau de résistance claims responsibility.
1970: First presentation of Juno Awards to honour the best Canadian recording artists; the award is named after CRTC Chairman and later CBC/SRC President Pierre Juneau.
1991: French forces unofficially start the Persian Gulf ground war by crossing the Saudi-Iraqi border.