1584. William I, prince of Orange, assassinated. He is styled the father of the Dutch republic, having brought about the union of the provinces. He was shot in the breast with three balls by an assassin supposed to have been employed by the king of Spain, who claimed the sovereignty of the Netherlands.
1634. De Vries sailed from the Texel in the ship King David, 14 guns, with 25 head of cattle, and 30 planters, intending to form a colony on the coast of Guyana.
1680. Lewis Moreri, a learned French writer, died, aged 37; author of the great historical dictionary, which appeared 1674, and was afterwards enlarged to 10 vols. folio, and greatly improved in the numerous editions it underwent.
1683. Francis Eudes de Mezerai, a French historian, died. He entered upon the laborious character of historian of France at the age of 26, and his work was received with universal applause. Several other books were also published by him, reflecting great honor upon his integrity, candor and faithfulness.
1686. John Fell, an English prelate, died. During the civil war he bore arms for the king, and lost his offices by his loyalty. He was distinguished for learning and assiduity, and published many excellent works.
1688. The city of Smyrna in Asia destroyed by an earthquake.
1689. "Here lyeth the Body of Mr. David Gardiner, of Gardiner Island, deceased Ivly 10, 1689, in the Fifty-fourth year of his Age. Well, sick, dead, in one hour's space. Hartford, Con." He was the first white child born in Connecticut.
1704. The fortress of Gibraltar in Spain taken by the British.
1733. Nearly 800,000 quarters of grain exported from England to Portugal; cost, £1,000,000 sterling.
1767. Alexander Monroe, a Scottish physician, anatomist and writer, died. His Osteology has been translated into several languages.