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 his personal colonial possession
1885-News of the fall of Khartoum reaches London
1924-First Winter Olympic Games close at Chamonix, France
1945-WWII: U.S. troops under General Douglas MacArthur enter Manila in the Philippines after a month-long battle, ending three years of Japanese military occupation
1969-United States population reaches 200 million
1992-Jury selection begins in the trial of Los Angeles police charged with beating Rodney King