On This Day: January 8th

The Dutch Cape Colony in southern Africa becomes the British Cape Colony as a result of the Battle of Blaauwberg.

George Washington delivers the first State of the Union address in New York City.

Second Jacobite rising: Bonnie Prince Charlie occupies Stirling.

The premiere of George Frideric Handel's Ariodante takes place at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

The first Lithuanian-language book, the Catechism of Martynas Mažvydas, is published in Königsberg.

Louis XII of France marries Anne of Brittany in accordance with a law set by his predecessor, Charles VIII.

The papal bull Romanus Pontifex awards the Kingdom of Portugal exclusive trade and colonization rights to all of Africa south of Cape Bojador.

François Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, leads his men to capture the fortress protecting the Rock of Monaco, establishing his family as the rulers of Monaco.

Æthelred I and Alfred the Great lead a West Saxon army to repel an invasion by Danelaw Vikings.

Sima Chi becomes emperor of the Jin dynasty in succession to his brother, Sima Zhong, despite a challenge from his other brother, Sima Ying.