331 B. C. Battle of Arbela, the modern Irbil, on the Lycus, between the Macedonians under Alexander, and the Persians under Darius (26th Boedromion). The Persians were defeated and the fate of Darius sealed.
55 B. C. Julius Cæsar made a landing on British ground, at a point eight miles north of Dover.
55. A surprisingly great comet was seen by the inhabitants of China.
1278. Battle of Marchfeld, in Austria, between Ottocar and Rodolph of Hapsburg, in which Ottocar fell. This day laid the foundation of the house of Hapsburg, which is still seated on the throne of Austria.
1346. Battle of Crecy, in France; the English, less than 30,000 under Edward III, defeated the French, 90,000, under Philip VI, who received two wounds, and was one of the last who fled. It is estimated that of the French upwards of 30,000 soldiers, 1,200 knights, 80 bannerets and 9 princes fell in the battle and pursuit.
1595. Antonio, a pretender to the throne of Portugal, died. He was assisted in the struggle for the crown by several of the European powers, but was driven out, and died in exile.
1635. Lopez Felix de la Vega died; a Spanish divine, poet and a dramatic writer of great fertility of genius. His works form upwards of 70 volumes.
1693. Peter Barriere, a French soldier, who attempted to assassinate Henry IV, of France, broken on the wheel.
1723. Anthony Van Leeuwenhoek, a celebrated Dutch physician, died. He became famous throughout Europe by his experiments and discoveries with the microscope.
1762. Valentia de Alcantara, in Spain, taken by assault by the British, under Gen. Burgoyne.