1785. William Cochrane, a Scottish painter, died. His pieces acquired great celebrity.
1789. Two robbers seized by the citizens of Paris, and hung on the spot, under pretence that the authorities were too slow and dilatory.
1801. John Gottlieb Naumann, an eminent German music composer, died. He was found in obscurity at the age of 13, and taken to Italy, where he commenced his career. His operas are very numerous.
1814. British ship Bulwark captured American privateer, Harlequin, 10 guns, 115 men.
1825. Pliny Fisk, a zealous American missionary, died at Beyrout, in Syria. Although extremely indigent, he procured a regular education, subsisting two years upon bread and milk, and carrying his corn to mill upon his shoulders. Yet so great was his application, that he enabled himself to preach in Italian, French, modern Greek and Arabic.
1826. Date of James Smithson's will, which ultimately placed in the hands of the United States of America, a large sum for the diffusion of knowledge among men.
1841. George Frederick Beltz, author of several works on antiquities and heraldry, died at Basle.
1844. The steam boat, Lucy Walker, stopping at New Albany, on her route from Louisville to New Orleans, exploded her three boilers at once, killing between 50 and 60 persons, and wounding others.
1848. General Windischgratz, summoned the city of Vienna to surrender.