The British North America Act had united the provinces of Canada under a single federation and on July 1, 1867, the Dominion of Canada had been officially declared.  Charles Monck, the 4th Viscount Monck, had been appointed the Dominion's first Governor-General then and on this day opened the first Parliament of Canada at Ottawa. (By John Osborne)

The popular press reported a deadly encounter between unknown smugglers and United States Revenue officers in the waters off Wilmington, North Carolina.  Intercepting a small boat with one of their own, officers were fired on when they challenged the smugglers and in the following struggle, the smugglers' craft overturned and the three occupants were drowned.  One revenue officer was reported as badly bruised but the officers sustained no other casualties.  (By John Osborne)

On a five mile course on the Upper Monongahela River near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, well-known professional single scullers John Mekiel of New York and Harry Coulter of Manchester, New Hampshire competed for a $2000 stake. Coulter pulled away in the latter stages and won by eight lengths in a time of 41 minutes and 51 seconds.  Coulter later went on to become a famous rowing coach at Cornell University.  (By John Osborne)

Railroad magnate Daniel Drew was a devout Methodist who endowed funds for a new theological seminary which was to bear his name.  The institution was formally opened with celebratory services on this date with former Dickinson College professor John McClintock as its first president.  A charter was secured the following year.  Drew University celebrated its one hundred and fifty anniversary in 2017.  (By John Osborne)