768 Charlemagne crowned himself King of the Franks. He went on to unite most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Roman Empire. He came to be called the Father of Europe because of that.
1000 Leif Ericson landed in Vinland in North America, perhaps I’Anse aux meadows in Newfoundland. Been there.
1635 Massachusetts Bay Colony expelled Roger Williams because he had opposed punishing religious dissension and confiscating Indian land. He went on to found Rhode Island as a haven for religious freedom. Ironic, isn’t it that those seeking religious freedom in the new world defined that as the freedom to punish others on religious grounds and to steal. Never been to Rhode Island.
1779 Ned Luddite led riots against spinning cotton machines in Manchester. His relatives today eschew ATMs, the Opal Card, and self-check with lame excuses. Drove through Manchester once.
1874 The General Postal Union Treaty was signed by twenty-two nations, agreeing to deliver each others’ mail. It became the Universal Postal Union. Have licked many stamps but no more.
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