1853. The French legislature passed an act restoring capital punishment for attempts on the life of the emperor, or to subvert the imperial government.
1854. A riot occurred at the park in New York, between a party of Catholics and the friends of a street preacher; several persons were badly injured.
MAY 29.
71 B. C. The range of embankments thrown up by Titus against the wall of Jerusalem, the work of 17 days, was undermined and consumed, or buried in a pit of fire, with all the Roman engines. This was effected by the skill and conduct of John, the high priest.
1379. Henry II, of Castile, died. He ascended the throne by the murder of Peter the cruel, which he perpetrated with his own hand. He was one of the bravest princes of his time, and won the good will of his subjects.
1405. Battle of Shipton moor; prince
Henry dispersed the 8,000 insurgents under Scroop, by seizing the persons of their leaders.
1453. Constantinople taken by the Turks under Mohammed II, which terminated the Greek empire, after an existence of ten centuries. Constantine XIII (Paleologus), was killed, and the beautiful Irene, whose fate is dramatized by Johnson, was one of the captives.
1545. David Beaton, archbishop of St. Andrews, assassinated. He was a great persecutor of heretics, and united with great talents equally great vices.
1588. The Spanish armada, intended for the annihilation of England, sailed from the Tagus, under the duke of Medina Sidonia. The armament consisted of 92 galleons, or large ships of the line, 4 galliases, 30 frigates, 30 transports for horse, and 4 galleys; on board whereof were 8,350 marines, 2,080 galley-slaves, and 19,290 land-forces. The fleet was dispersed by a storm, and compelled to rendezvous at Corunna for repairs.