TODAY IN history

On this date:

In 1464, Roman Catholic Pope Pius II organized a crusade against the Turks, but died before he could meet up with his allies. Soon after, the crusading mentality died out.

In 1812, the U.S. declared war on Britain following disputes over maritime rights. It was the only major war, other than native wars, fought on Canadian soil.

In 1815, deposed French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo by British and Prussian troops.

In 1846, the first telegraph system was opened connecting Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara Falls, Ont.

In 1855, the rebuilding of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal was completed.

In 1873, suffragist Susan B. Anthony was found guilty by a judge in Canandaigua, N.Y., of breaking the law by casting a vote in the 1872 presidential election. The judge fined Anthony $100, but she never paid.

In 1908, parliamentarian Stanley Knowles was born in Los Angeles to Canadian parents. He spent nearly four decades in Parliament, championing the causes of veterans, the elderly, the poor and the disadvantaged. He died in 1997, nine days short of his 89th birthday.

In 1928, Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen died after a flying accident in the North Sea.

In 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space as she and four colleagues blasted off aboard the shuttle “Challenger.” The mission included the deployment of Canada’s “Anik C2” communications satellite.