300 A.D.
Death of Saint Vitus, son of a Sicilian senator who was widely known for his conversions and miracles. Brought before Diocletian, whose son he had cured of an evil spirit, he was accused of sorcery when he would not subject himself to the Roman gods. He and companions Modestus and Crescentia were tortured but not killed for an angel whisked them back to Lucania where they did eventually die. Vitus is known as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and is patron saint of actors, dancers, and comedians as well as of epileptics of which the affliction "St. Vitus Dance" is named after him.
1215 A.D.
King John signs the Magna Carta at Runnymede forced on him by the English barons which contitutionally guaranteed their rights and privileges. While this overall benefited the Church it gave more power to many princes and lords who often times interferred in ecclesial matters.
1520 A.D.
Pope Leo X, 217th successor of Peter, who neither understood nor knew how to offer a remedy to the dangerous schism brought about by the ex-Augustinian monk Martin Luther, condemned his 95 Theses on this day.
1601 A.D.
Death of Saint Germaine Cousin, a young shepherd virgin who had been born with a withered hand and a terrible skin disease that badly disfigured her. Her family disowned her, sending her to sleep with the sheep and tend to them. Here she dedicated her life totally to God but never missed Daily Mass, always commending her flock of sheep to her guardian angel's care while she was at Mass. No sheep was ever lost or strayed!
1917 A.D.
Pope Benedict XV releases his encyclical on preaching the Word of God entitled Humani Generis Redemptionem