Today in History

The Egyptian Army’s Operation Eagle results in the deaths of 11 suspected terrorists and the arrest of another 23.

Rains from Hurricane Katrina cause a levee breech at the Industrial Canal in New Orleans, causing severe flooding.

A terrorist bomb kills Ayatollah Sayed Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim, the Shia Muslim leader in Iraq, and nearly 100 worshipers as they leave a mosque in Najaf where the ayatollah had called for Iraqi unity.

NATO launches Operation Deliberate Force against Bosnian Serb forces.

Thousands of Germans demonstrate against a wave of racist attacks aimed at immigrants.

USSR’s parliament suspends Communist Party activities in the wake of a failed coup.

Morocco’s King Hassan II signs unity treaty with Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, strengthening political and economic ties and creating a mutual defense pact.

Lou Brock (St Louis Cardinals) breaks Ty Cobb’s 49-year-old career stolen bases record at 893.

Democrats nominate Hubert H Humphrey for president at their Chicago convention.

The Beatles give their last public concert (Candlestick Park, San Francisco).

Astronauts L. Gordon Cooper Jr. and Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr complete 120 Earth orbits in Gemini 5, marking the first time the US set an international duration record for a manned space mission.

Mickey Mantle ties Babe Ruth’s career strikeout record (1,330).

US U-2 spy plane spots SAM (surface-to-air) missile launch pads in Cuba.

Michael Jackson, pop singer, entertainer.

US Congress passes Civil Rights Act of 1957 after Strom Thurmond (Sen-D-SC) ends 24-hour filibuster, the longest in Senate history, against the bill.