On This Day in:

527 – Justinianus became the emperor of Byzantium.

1572 – The Sea Beggars under Guillaume de la Marck landed in Holland and captured the small town of Briel.

1621 – The Plymouth, MA, colonists created the first treaty with Native Americans.

1724 – Jonathan Swift published Drapier's letters.

1748 – The ruins of Pompeii were found.

1778 – Oliver Pollock, a New Orleans businessman, created the '$' symbol.

1789 – The U.S. House of Representatives held its first full meeting in New York City. Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was elected the first House Speaker.

1793 – In Japan, the volcano Unsen erupted killing about 53,000.

1826 – Samuel Mory patented the internal combustion engine.

1853 – Cincinnati became the first U.S. city to pay fire fighters a regular salary.

1863 – The first wartime conscription law went into effect in the U.S.

1864 – The first travel accident policy was issued to James Batterson by the Travelers Insurance Company.

1865 – At the Battle of Five Forks in Petersburg, VA, Gen. Robert E. Lee began his final offensive.

1867 – Blacks voted in the municipal election in Tuscumbia, AL.

1867 – The International Exhibition opened in Paris.

1867 – Singapore, Penang & Malakka became British crown colonies.

1868 – In Virginia, The Hampton Institute was established.

1873 – The British White Star steamship Atlantic sank off Nova Scotia killing 547.

1881 – Anti-Jewish riots took place in Jerusalem.

1889 – The first dishwashing machine was marketed (in Chicago).

1891 – The London-Paris telephone connection opened.

1891 – The William Wrigley Jr. Company was founded in Chicago, IL.

The company is most known for its Juicy Fruit gum.