660 BC: Traditional date for the foundation of Japan by Emperor Jimmu

1858: First vision of the Virgin Mary to 14-year-old Bernadette of Lourdes, France

1929: Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, is made an enclave of Rome

1975: Margaret Thatcher defeats Edward Heath for leadership of the British Conservative Party

1990: Nelson Mandela is released after 27 years imprisonment in South Africa

2011: Egyptian Revolution culminates in the resignation of Hosni Mubarak and the transfer of power to the Supreme Military Council after 18 days of protests (Arab Spring)

2013: Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation from February 28, the first pope to resign since 1415

Source: Onthisday.com