Historical Events in 1173 Feb 21 Pope Alexander III canonizes Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury Aug 9 Construction of the Tower of Pisa begins, and it takes two centuries to complete. Famous People Born in 1173 Dec 23 Louis I, Duke of Bavaria (d. 1231) Famous People Who Died in 1173 Aug 9 Najm ad-Din Ayyub, father of Saladin 1172 History by Year 1174