On This Day: April 30th

Louisiana Purchase: The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, more than doubling the size of the young nation.

On the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, George Washington takes the oath of office to become the first President of the United States.

Eighty Years' War: Dutch Republic forces recapture a strategically important fort from Spain after a nine-month siege.

Juan de Oñate begins the conquest of Santa Fe de Nuevo México.

Henry IV of France issues the Edict of Nantes, allowing freedom of religion to the Huguenots.

Edmund de la Pole, Yorkist pretender to the English throne, is executed on the orders of Henry VIII.

Spain gives Christopher Columbus his commission of exploration. He is named admiral of the ocean sea, viceroy and governor of any territory he discovers.

Enguerrand de Marigny is hanged at the instigation of Charles, Count of Valois.

Roger de Flor, leader of the mercenary Catalan Company, is murdered, leading to widespread pillaging by the mercenaries in Thrace.

The Diocletianic Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire ends.