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 is signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and peace

1946: Ho Chi Minh is elected President of North Vietnam

1956: French-Moroccan Agreement signed in Paris rescinds the Treaty of Fez, declaring independence of Morocco from France

1972: Jean-Bédel Bokassa appoints himself President for life of Central African Republic

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

Source: Onthisday.com