Today in History

1502   Christopher Columbus leaves Spain on his final trip to New World.  
1754   The first newspaper cartoon in America appears.  
1813   U.S. troops under William Henry Harrison take Fort Meigs from British and Canadian troops.
1864   Union General John Sedgwick is shot and killed by a Confederate sharpshooter during fighting at Spotsylvania. His last words are: "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist–"  
1859   Threatened by the advancing French army, the Austrian army retreats across the River Sesia in Italy.  
1915   German and French forces fight the Battle of Artois.  
1926   Explorer Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett make the first flight over the North Pole.  
1936   Fascist Italy captures the city of Addis Abba, Ethiopia and annexes the country.  
1941   The German submarine U-110 is captured at sea along with its Enigma machine by the Royal Navy.  
1946   King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy abdicates his throne and is replaced by Umberto.  
1962   A laser beam is successfully bounced off the moon for the first time.  
1974   The House Judiciary Committee begins formal hearings on Nixon impeachment.