1268. Conradino, emperor of Germany, beheaded at Naples, at the age of 16. In a hazardous attempt to recover a part of his possessions which had been wrested from him, he fell into the power of his enemy.
1618. Walter Raleigh, an illustrious English nobleman, beheaded at the age of 66. He is memorable as a "statesman, seaman, soldier, chemist and chronologist." He obtained the patent of Virginia in 1584.
1666. James Shirley, an English dramatic writer, died. His death was occasioned by the great fire of London; both himself and his wife died of fright, and were buried in one grave. He wrote 37 plays and a volume of poems.
1666. Edmund Calamy, an eminent English divine, died, it is said by reason of the great fire at London.
1691. Melchizedec Thevenot died; librarian to the king of France, and a celebrated writer of travels.
1727. Earthquake in New England. No event of the kind had been witnessed by the English, of equal violence, since their settlement of the country, and consequently they were greatly alarmed. It was felt along the coast 700 miles, though of only 2 minutes' duration; and the island of Martinique was in danger of being entirely destroyed by an earthquake the same day, which was felt at intervals during eleven hours.
1745. Battle of Freybourg; the Prussians under prince Henry defeated the allies, who lost 8,000 men.
1757. Edward Vernon, a renowned English admiral, died.
1776. The British and Hessians repulsed in an attack on the Americans under Col. Glover, at White Plains.
1777. John Hancock resigned his office as president of Congress.