On this day in 250, Emperor Decius began a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Pope Fabian was martyred.
On this day in 1783, The Kingdom of Great Britain signed a peace treaty with France and Spain, officially ending hostilities in the American Revolutionary War (also known as the American War of Independence).
On this day in 1841, Hong Kong Island was occupied by the British.
On this day in 1936, Edward VIII became King of the United Kingdom on the day of the death of his father King George V. He chose romance over the throne and abdicated after a reign of 326 days.
On this day in 1981, twenty minutes after Ronald Reagan was inaugurated, Iran released 52 American hostages. At age 69, Reagan was the oldest man ever to be inaugurated as U.S. President.
On this day in 1986, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was celebrated as a federal holiday for the first time.