1493. Columbus, on his second voyage to the new world, descried land, which in honor of the day he called Dominica.
1580. Sir Francis Drake returned from his voyage round the world.
1603. Henry IV of France granted to Pierre du Gast, sieur de Monts, a patent of the American territory, from the 40th to the 46th degree of north latitude, with
power to colonize and rule it, and to subdue and Christianize its native inhabitants; and the exclusive right to the commerce of peltry in Acadie and the gulf of St. Lawrence.
1611. Antonio Perez, a distinguished Spanish statesman and author, died at Paris, where he retired when disgraced at the court of Spain. He twice escaped the inquisition, and even eluded the emissaries sent to murder him, but although highly esteemed by the learned men of France and England, he died miserably poor.
1640. The long parliament of England began; Wm. Lenthal was chosen speaker.
1643. John Bainbridge died at Oxford; a physician and astronomer of high reputation.
1669. Charles Drelincourt, a French Calvinistic divine, died. His Consolations against the Fear of Death have passed through numerous editions, and been translated into several languages.
1680. The great comet of this year approached so near the earth as in many places to occasion no small alarm.
1710. Luke Rotgans, a Dutch poet, died. After being engaged two years in the wars of Holland he retired to his country seat to devote himself to poetry.