1791: Long-distance communication speeds up with the unveiling of a semaphore machine in Paris

1796: Napoléon Bonaparte is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the French Army in Italy

1807: US Congress bans the slave trade within the US, effective January 1, 1808

1888: The Convention of Constantinople signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and peace

1946: Ho Chi Minh elected President of North Vietnam

1956: Morocco tears up the Treaty of Fez, declaring independence from France

1970: White government of Rhodesia declares itself a republic

2002: U.S. invasion of Afghanistan: US conventional forces first deployed as part of Operation Anaconda

Source: Onthisday.com