On this day in 1932, Khana Ratsadon, or the People’s Party, overthrew the government of King Rama VII, ending 700 years of absolute monarchy under the kings of Siam.

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On this day in 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes, Samuel Soulé, and Carlos Glidden were awarded U.S. patent number 79,265 for their typewriter.

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On this day in 1947, science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler was born.

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On this day in 1905, philosopher and writer Jean-Paul Sartre was born.

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On this day in 1975, the film "Jaws" was released in the U.S. and Canada.

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On this day in 1917, revolutionary and politician Joshua Nkomo was born in Matebeleland in modern-day Zimbabwe.

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On this day in 1178 (on the Julian calendar), several monks from Canterbury reportedly saw the moon split into two and explode into flames.

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On this day in 1843, a clash between British immigrants and Maori known as the Wairau Incident took place on the South Island in New Zealand.

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On this day in 1858, Abraham Lincoln gave his "House Divided" speech in Springfield, Illinois, during his run for U.S. senator.

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On this day in 1938, Hungarian newspaper editor Laszlo Biro filed a British patent for the ballpoint pen.

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