TODAY IN HISTORY

On July 15, 1799, French soldiers in Egypt discovered the Rosetta Stone, which proved instrumental in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.

In 1834, the Spanish Inquisition was abolished more than 3 1⁄2 centuries after its creation.

In 1870, Georgia became the last Confederate state to be readmitted to the Union.

Also: Manitoba entered confederation as the fifth Canadian province.

In 1918, the Second Battle of the Marne, resulting in an Allied victory, began during World War I.

In 1975, three American astronauts blasted off aboard an Apollo spaceship hours after two Soviet cosmonauts were launched aboard a Soyuz spacecraft for a linkup of the two ships in orbit.

In 1996, MSNBC, a 24hour all-news network, made its debut on cable and the Internet.