1576: Henry of Navarre (later Henry IV of France) abjures Catholicism at Tours

1597: A group of early Japanese Christians, known as the 26 Martyrs, are killed by the new government of Japan for being seen as a threat to Japanese society

1885: King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo as a personal colonial possession

1885 News of the fall of Khartoum reaches London

1945: WWII: US troops under General Douglas MacArthur enter Manila, Philippines; month long battle ends 3 years of Japanese military occupation

1969: United States population reaches 200 million

Source: Onthisday.com