49 BC Julius Caesar defies the Roman Senate and crosses the Rubicon, uttering “alea iacta est” (the die is cast), signaling the start of civil war which would lead to his appointment as Roman dictator for life.
1430 Catholic Order of the Golden Fleece founded in Bruges in celebration of the prosperous and wealthy domains of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.
1475 Stephen III of Moldavia defeats the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Vaslui.
1776 “Common Sense” Pamphlet by Thomas Paine published, advocating American independence.
1839 First tea from leaves of indigenous plants of Assam, India arrives in the United Kingdom [date approximate].
1858 Frances Havergal, visiting Germany, writes her first popular hymn, “I Gave my Life for Thee” after seeing a painting of the suffering Christ titled Ecce Homo (“Behold the Man”). Thinking the verses of little worth she throws the paper onto a fire but it falls off. When her father sees the words he composes a tune for them.
1946 UN General Assembly meets for 1st time in London.
1960 A car filled with seven Christian workers plunges into deep water in the Black Umbluzi River but Pastor Phineas Dlamini and the other six escape, some with injuries. Dlamini was a leading pastor in the Church of the Nazarene in Swaziland.
Historical Events Today
Today In Film & TV
1999 “The Sopranos”, starring James Gandolfini as mobster Tony Soprano, debuts on HBO.
Today In Music
1958 Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” reaches #1 on the UK pop charts.
Today In Sport
1982 NFC Championship, Candlestick Park, SF: San Francisco 49ers beat Dallas Cowboys, 28-27; “The Catch” – iconic moment in NFL history – Dwight Clark makes fingertip catch for a TD from Joe Montana with 58″ remaining; SF goes on to win Super Bowl.
Do You Know This Fact About Today? Did You Know?
1917 Suffragettes the “Silent Sentinels” first protest outside The White House, in Washington led by Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party.
Would You Believe This Fact About Today? Would You Believe?
1967 Edward W. Brooke (Sen-R-Mass), takes his seat as the 1st popularly elected African American to the US Senate.
