July 31, 1885 Regina Saskatchewan - Louis Riel makes eloquent address to the jury, saying he had been blessed by God with a mission to help the Indians, the Metis, and the whites of the North West; repudiates any suggestions of religious insanity, asks to be judged solely on the political elements of his case; jury will find him guilty. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 31, 1874 Winnipeg Manitoba - First group of Russian Mennonites arrive from the US on the steamer International; Canada passed special orders-in-council which guaranteed them freedom of religion, exemption from military service, and the right to conduct their own schools. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 31, 1818 Quebec Quebec - Anne Boucher dies in Quebec at age 109 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 31, 1813 Plattsburgh, NY - British troops capture Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain; War of 1812. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - July 31, 1763 Bloody Ridge, Ohio - Maj. Henry Gladwin beaten by Pontiac at Bloody Ridge; left Detroit after reinforcements arrived. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ July 31, 1759 Beauport Quebec - James Wolfe's troops beaten in skirmish on Beauport flats east of Quebec. ----------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - July 31,1687 Fort Niagara New York - Governor Jacques-René de Brisay de Denonville 1637-1710 leaves Pierre de Troyes and a garrison to build Fort Niagara at the mouth of Niagara River, then returns to Montreal. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 31, 1684 Paris France - King François demands that the Iroquois be exterminated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 31,1845 - The French Army introduced the saxophone to its military band. The musical instrument was the invention of Adolphe Sax of Belgium. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------