Today in History

First interplanetary human voice recording is broadcast from the Mars Rover Curiosity.

Democrats nominate Barack Obama for president, first African American nominated by a major political party for the office of President of the United States.

Mars makes its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, passing within 34,646,418 miles (55,758,005 km).

The Rainbow Bridge, a 1,870-foot suspension bridge over Tokyo Bay, completed.

Moldavia declares independence from USSR.

Chuck Berry performs his tune Johnny B. Goode for NASA staff in celebration of Voyager II‘s encounter with the planet Neptune.

Alexa Vega, actress, singer (Spy Kids movies, Ruby in Ruby & the Rockits TV series).

Mario (Mario Dewar Barrett), singer / songwriter (“Let Me Love You”), actor (Freedom Writers), dancer, model; included on Billboard magazine’s Artist of the Decade list for the 2000s.

President Ronald Reagan announces NASA Teacher in Space project, intended to inspire students and honor teachers and spur interest in the fields of science, mathematics and space exploration.

Lord Mountbatten is killed by an Irish terrorist bomb in his sail boat in Sligo, Ireland.

Sarah Chalke, actress (Roseanne TV series).

Jonny (Jonathan) Moseley, Olympic Gold Medal skier; first Puerto Rican on US Ski Team.

Cambodia severs ties with South Vietnam.

Derek Warwick, Formula 1 race car driver.