837: Halley's Comet makes its closest approach to Earth: 5.1 million kilometres.
1606: The Virginia Company of London is created to establish colonial settlements in North America.
1842: Halifax incorporated; originally called Chebucto, after Mi'kmaq, Chief Harbour.
1912: RMS Titanic sets sail from Southampton, England on her maiden and only voyage.
1916: The Professional Golfers' Association of America is created in New York City.
1925: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is first published.
1937: Act of Parliament creates Trans-Canada Airlines, now Air Canada.
1947: Founding of National Wildlife Week to honour conservationist Jack Miner.
1970: Paul McCartney announces that he is leaving The Beatles, formally ending them.
1972: Tombs containing bamboo slips, among them Sun Tzu's Art of War, are accidentally discovered by construction workers in China.