Today in History

At Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Conn., 20 children and six adults are shot to death by a 20-year-old gunman who then commits suicide.

Iraqi broadcast journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi throws his shoes at US President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad.

The Millau Viaduct, the world’s tallest bridge, official opens near Millau, France.

Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, narrowly escapes and assassination attempt.

Tens of thousands die as a result of flash floods caused by torrential rains in Vargas, Venezuela.

The Dayton Agreement signed in Paris; establishes a general framework for ending the Bosnian War between Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Construction begins on China’s Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River.

Israel’s Knesset passes the Golan Heights Law, extending Israeli law to the Golan Heights area.

NATO warns the Soviets to stay out of the internal affairs of Poland, saying that intervention would effectively destroy the détente between the East and West.

Miranda Hart, comedian, actress, writer (Miranda Hart’s Joke Shop on BBC Radio 2 and its spinoff BBC sitcom TV series Miranda).

Anthony Mason, pro basketball player.

A U.S. Boeing B-52 bomber sets a 10,000-mile non-stop record without refueling.

Spider Stacy (Peter  Stacy), singer, songwriter, musician with The Pogues band.

Bulgarian ex-Premier Traicho Kostov is sentenced to die for treason in Sofia.

Patty Duke, actress, singer; won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 16, playing Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker; president of Screen Actors Guild (1985-88).