Today in History

741		Charles Martel of Gaul dies at Quiezy. His mayoral power is divided between his two sons, Pepin III and Carloman.
1746		Princeton University, in New Jersey, receives its charter.
1797		The first successful parachute descent is made by Andre-Jacqes Garnerin, who jumps from a balloon at some 2,200 feet over Paris.
1824		The Tennessee Legislature adjourns ending Davy Crockett's state political career.
1836		Sam Houston sworn in as the first president of the Republic of Texas.
1862		Union troops push 5,000 confederates out of Maysbille, Ark., at the Second Battle of Pea Ridge.
1859		Spain declares war on the Moors in Morocco.
1907		Ringling Brothers buys Barnum & Bailey.
1914		U.S. places economic support behind Allies.
1918		The cities of Baltimore and Washington run out of coffins during the "Spanish Inflenza" epidemic.
1938		Chester Carlson invents the photocopier. He tries to sell the machine to IBM, RCA, Kodak and others, but they see no use for a gadget that makes nothing but copies.
1954		As a result of the Geneva accords granting Communist control over North Vietnam, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorizes a crash program to train the South Vietnamese Army.
1955		The prototype of the F-105 Thunder Chief makes its maiden flight.
1962		U.S. reveals Soviet missile sites in Cuba. President Kennedy orders a naval and air blockade on further shipment of military equipment to Cuba. Following a confrontation that threatens nuclear war, Kennedy and Khrushchev agree on October 28 on a formula to end the crisis. On November 2 Kennedy reports that Soviet missile bases in Cuba are being dismantled.
1964		Jean Paul Satre declines the Nobel Prize for Literature.
1966		The Soviet Union launches Luna 12 for orbit around the moon
1972		Operation Linebacker I, the bombing of North Vietnam with B-52 bombers, ends.