1508: Maximilian I proclaimed Holy Roman Emperor, first Emperor in centuries not crowned by the Pope

1778: Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance signed in Paris, between the United States and France, the first negotiated by the United States. The first established formal diplomatic and commercial relations and the second formed a defensive alliance.

1819: Stamford Raffles founds Singapore as a British trading port

1840: The Treaty of Waitangi is signed between 40 Māori Chiefs (later signed by 500) and representatives of the British crown in Waitangi, New Zealand. The treaty was designed to share sovereignty between the two groups.

1865: General Robert E. Lee is appointed General-in-Chief of the Confederate Armies during the US Civil War

1952: Queen Elizabeth II succeeds King George VI to the British throne and proclaimed Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms including Canada, Australia and New Zealand

1989: Poland’s Communist government begins “Round Table” talks with the Solidarity trade union and it’s leader Lech Wałęsa in an attempt to ease growing social unrest

2023: Powerful earthquakes strike Turkey and Syria, first 7.8 magnitude at 4.15am 23 kilometers east of Nurdagi, second 7.5 magnitude at 1:24pm with many strong aftershocks causing buildings to collapse. Death toll 59,000 in Turkey, 8,000 Syria

Source: Onthisday.com