TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1692, a 14-year-old girl repelled an Iroquois attack on Vercheres near Montreal. Marie-Madeleine de Vercheres took charge and rallied people inside the fort. At her command, a cannon was fired to warn neighbors of the attack. She led the defence for eight days until help arrived.

In 1707, the English ship “Association” sank with 200 aboard.

In 1721, Peter the Great became Czar of Russia.

In 1797, French balloonist Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first parachute descent, landing safely from a height of about 3,000 feet over Paris.

In 1844, “The Great Disappointment” began after a date set for the return of Jesus Christ by religious leader William Miller passed without event. About 100,000 followers of the farmer-turned revivialist from upstate New York returned to their former churches or left the Christian faith altogether.

In 1934, bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd was shot to death by federal agents at a farm in East Liverpool, Ohio.