1231. Abdu-l-lattif, an Arabian physician, historian and traveler, died, aged 69. He wrote upwards of 160 works, of which a history of Egypt is highly esteemed.
1308. John Duns (Duns Scotus), a celebrated theologian, died. He affected to maintain opinions contrary to those of Thomas Aquinas, which produced two parties in the schools, the Thomists and the Scotists.
1512. Amery d'Amboise, a French admiral, died; famous for the naval victory he obtained over the sultan of Egypt, two years before his death.
1517. Francis Ximenes, a Spanish ecclesiastic, died, aged 81. He was eminent as a statesman, warrior and patron of learning, and was at the head of the Spanish government many years. He was the publisher of the Complutensian Polyglott.
1519. The Spaniards under Cortez entered the city of Mexico.
1520. A general massacre of all the nobility of Sweden, except Gustavus Vasa, whose providential escape led to a revolution, and the separation of the union between Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and the deposition of Christian II, by whom the bloody deed was instigated.
1608. The Bodleian library at Oxford, England, first opened to the public.
1674. John Milton, an illustrious English poet, died. He also wrote many political and controversial tracts, and a History of Britain, which occupied him many years.
1690. Belgrade retaken by the Turks.
1777. British attacked Mud fort, now fort Mifflin. It was gallantly defended by a few militia under Col. Smith, who repulsed the enemy.