Today in History

1607		English colonists land near the James River in Virginia.
1648		Margaret Jones of Plymouth is found guilty of witchcraft and is sentenced to be hanged.
1779		The War of Bavarian Succession ends.
1846		The United States declares war on Mexico after fighting has already begun.
1861		Britain declares its neutrality in the American Civil War.
1864		The Battle of Resaca commences as Union General William T. Sherman fights towards Atlanta.
1888		Slavery is abolished in Brazil.
1912		Britain establishes the Royal Flying Corps, the forerunner of the Royal Air Force (formed in 1918).
1913		Igor Sikorsky flies the first four-engine aircraft.
1944		Allied forces in Italy break through the German Gustav Line into the Liri Valley.
1958		French troops take control of Algiers.
1968		Peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam begin in Paris.
1981		Pope John Paul II survives an assassination attempt.