Today in History

In South Africa police fire on striking mine workers, killing at least 34.

Iraq orders 2,500 Americans and 4,000 British nationals in Kuwait to Iraq, in the aftermath of Iraq’s invasion of that country.

IBM introduces artificial intelligence software.

Astrological alignment of sun, moon and six planets marks what believers maintain is the dawning of a New Age.

Sudanese rebels shoot down a Sudanese Airways plane, killing 57 people.

The safe of the sunken ocean liner Andrea Doria is opened on TV after three decades, revealing cash and certificates but no other valuables.

Elvis Presley dies of a heart attack in the upstairs bedroom suite area of his Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee.

Emily Robison, singer, musician, songwriter, member of the bestselling Country group Dixie Chicks.

Ulrika Jonsson, Swedish-born actress, model and UK television personality.

The Watts riots end in south-central Los Angeles after six days.

Steve Carell, actor and comedian (The Daily Show with John Stewart, The Office, Evan Almighty).

Timothy Hutton, youngest actor ever to receive an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (Ordinary People).

Madonna [Louise Veronica Ciccone], entertainer and singer.

Suzanne Farrel, ballerina.

Bruce Beresford, Australian film director whose films include Breaker Morant and Driving Miss Daisy.

Ted Hughes, English poet.

Bill Evans, jazz pianist.

Charles Bukowski, poet and novelist.

Liege, Belgium, falls to the German army.

Menachem Begin, Israeli statesman and Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

Gold is discovered in the Klondike of Canada’s Yukon Territory, setting off the Klondike Gold Rush.

Bernard McFadden, publisher responsible for the magazine True Story.

Union General William S. Rosecrans moves his army south from Tullahoma, Tennessee to attack Confederate forces in Chattanooga.

Union and Confederate forces clash near Fredericktown and Kirkville, Missouri.

U.S. President James Buchanan and Britain’s Queen Victoria exchange messages inaugurating the first transatlantic telegraph line.

American General William Hull surrenders Detroit without resistance to a smaller British force under General Issac Brock.

American troops are badly defeated by the British at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina.

France declares a state of bankruptcy.

Jean de la Bruyere, French writer and moralist famous for his work Characters of Theophratus.

Henry VIII of England and Emperor Maximilian defeat the French at Guinegatte, France, in the Battle of the Spurs.