Independence Day in Eritrea (1993); Aldersgate Day (Methodism); Saints Cyril and Methodius Day in Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia

• 1626 – Director-General of New Netherland Peter Minuit bought Manhattan from Native Americans in exchange for trade goods valued at 60 guilders.
• 1738 – At a Moravian Church meeting in Aldersgate Street, London, John Wesley (pictured) experienced a spiritual rebirth, leading to him launch the Methodist movement.
• 1822 – Ecuadorian War of Independence: Troops led by Antonio José de Sucre secured the independence of Quito from Spain at the Battle of Pichincha.
• 1883 – New York City's Brooklyn Bridge, at the time the longest suspension bridge in the world, was opened.
• 1988 – Section 28 of the United Kingdom Local Government Act of 1988, an amendment stating that a local authority cannot intentionally promote homosexuality, was enacted, generating so much controversy that it was eventually repealed fifteen years later.