Today In History [9th May, 2015]

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on this day in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened today in history.

Today in History
May 9

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.

Born on May 9
1800           John Brown, abolitionist.
1844           Belle Boyd, Confederate spy.
1860           James Mathew Barrie, writer (Peter Pan, The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up).
1873           Howard Carter, British archaeologist.
1882           Henry J. Kaiser, shipbuilder.
1906           Eleanor Estes, children's author.
1921           Mona van Duyn, American poet laureate.
1934           Alan Bennett, British playwright and screenwriter (The Madness of King George III).
1936           Albert Finney, British actor (Murder on the Orient Express, Tom Jones).