Today in History

Summer Olympics come to a close in London.

An LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) sniper mortally wounds Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, at the minister’s home.

Russian Navy submarine K-141 Kursk explodes and sinks with all hands during military exercises in the Barents Sea.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is concluded between the United States, Canada and Mexico, creating the world’s wealthiest trade bloc.

Highest in-flight death toll as 520 die when  Japan Airlines Flight 123  crashes into Mount Takamagahara.

Computer giant IBM introduces its first personal computer.

Massive book burnings by press censors begin in Iran.

Tel al-Zaatar massacre at Palestinian refuge camp during Lebanese Civil War.

Space shuttle Enterprise makes its first free flight and landing.

As U.S. troops leave Vietnam, B-52’s make their largest strike of the war.

American installations at Quan-Loi, Vietnam, come under Viet Cong attack.

The erection of the Berlin Wall begins, preventing access between East and West Germany.

Pat Metheny, multiple-award winning jazz guitarist, including unprecedented 7 Grammys for 7 consecutive recordings.

French Marshal Henri Philippe Petain announces full French collaboration with Nazi Germany.

George Hamilton, Golden Globe-winning actor (Crime & Punishment, USA), producer (Love at First Bite).

Walter Dean Myers, award-winning author of books for young readers (Hoops, The Scorpion).

Vice-Admiral John Poindexter, Security Adviser to Pres. Ronald Reagan (Dec 1985–Nov 1986); convicted on 5 felonies arising from the Iran/Contra affair, but the convictions were overturned on appeal.

President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Bill.

Buck Owens, country singer, a leader in establishing the “Bakersfield Sound.”.

Porter Wagoner, country singer, TV show host.

Norris and Ross McWhirter, wrote and updated Guinness Book of World Records, 1955–1975; following Ross’ assassination by the IRA, Norris continued writing and updating the Guinness Book until 1985.

The home of Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C. is dedicated as a memorial.

Cantinflas, Mexican circus clown, acrobat and actor.

Henry Ford‘s first Model T rolls off the assembly line.

The Spanish American War officially ends after three months and 22 days of hostilities.

Gold is discovered near Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada. After word reaches the United States in June of 1897, thousands of Americans head to the Klondike to seek their fortunes.

Zerna Sharp, creator and co-author, with William S. Gray, of the Dick and Jane reading primer series.

Cecil B. DeMille, American film director, producer and screenwriter, famous for epic productions.

After a week of heavy raiding, the Confederate cruiser Tallahassee claims six Union ships captured.

Confederate raider William Quantrill leads a massacre of 150 men and boys in Lawrence, Kansas.

Katherine Bates, composer of “America the Beautiful.”

British commander the Duke of Wellington occupies Madrid, Spain, forcing out Joseph Bonaparte.

Black slaves on the island of Santo Domingo rise up against their white masters.

Robert Mills, architect and engineer whose designs include the Washington Monument, the National Portrait Gallery and the U.S. Treasury Building.

Robert Southey, English poet laureate (1813-1843).

George IV, named Prince Regent in 1810 when his father, George III, is declared insane.

At the Battle of Mohacs, Hungary, Charles of Lorraine defeats the Turks.

At the Battle of Ascalon 1,000 Crusaders, led by Godfrey of Bouillon, route an Egyptian relief column heading for Jerusalem, which had already fallen to the Crusaders.

Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt, commits suicide.