Today in History

F-22 Raptor Stealth fighter enters active service with the US Air Force.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after an 11-year, $27 million project to fortify it without eliminating its famed lean.

The Downing Street Declaration, issued jointly by UK and the Republic of Ireland, affirms the UK would transfer Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland only if a majority of Northern Ireland’s people approved.

In what is often called the first modern suicide bombing, a suicide car bomb kills 61 people at the Iraqi embassy in Beirut, Lebanon; Iraq’s ambassador to Lebanon is among the casualties.

Adam Brody, actor (Gilmore Girls and The O.C. TV series).

US President Jimmy Carter announces the United States will recognize the People’s Republic of China and will sever all relations with Taiwan.

The oil tanker MV Argo Merchant causes one of the worst marine oil spills in history when it runs aground near Nantucket, Massachusetts.

The American Psychiatric Association votes to remove homosexuality from its official list of psychiatric disorders.

The Commonwealth of Australia orders equal pay for women.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the meat bill in the presence of Upton Sinclair, the author of the controversial book The Jungle.

The United States drops 12 tons of bombs on an industrial center near Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam.

Adolf Eichmann, the former German Gestapo official accused of a major role in the Nazi murder of 6 million Jews, is sentenced by a Jerusalem court to be hanged.

Vietnam leader Ho Chi Minh sends a note to the new French Premier, Leon Blum, asking for peace talks.

The battle for Luzon begins.

U.S. forces invade Japanese-held New Britain Island in New Guinea.

Dave Clark, singer, songwriter, drummer, producer; lead singer of The Dave Clark Five.

Washington sends its fourth note to Berlin demanding amnesty for Jews.

Tim Conway, actor, screenwriter, producer, known for his comedic roles in TV and film that he frequently improvised (The Carol Burnett Show TV series).

In Spain, a general strike is called in support of the revolution in what would come to be known as the Jaca Uprising.

The Soviet Union warns the United States against repeated entry of ships into Soviet territorial waters.

Uziel Gal, German-Israeli firearm designer, best known for designing the Uzi submachine gun.

China wins a place on the League Council; Austria is admitted.

Max Yasgur, whose New York farm became the site of the Woodstock music festival in August 1969.

Maurice Wilkins, New Zealand-English physicist and molecular biologist; received Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1962).

Nicholas P. Dallis, a psychiatrist turned comic strip writer who created the long-running strips Rex Morgan, M.D., Judge Parker, and Apartment 3-G.

Oscar Niemeyer, Brazilian architect who designed the Uited Nations Headquarters building.

The British parliament places a 15-year ban on whale hunting in Norway.

J. Paul Getty, American oilman and art collector..

As U.S. Army soldiers attempt to arrest Sitting Bull at his cabin in Standing Rock, South Dakota, shooting breaks out and Lt. Bullhead shoots the great Sioux leader.

William A. Hinton, developer of the “Hinton Test” for diagnosing syphilis.

The battle at Nashville begins.

In New Orleans, Louisiana, Union Major General Benjamin F. Butler turns his command over to Nathaniel Banks. The citizens of New Orleans hold farewell parties for Butler, “The Beast” – but only after he leaves.

Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, designer of the famous tower in Paris.

The Bill of Rights is ratified in Congress.

Nero Claudius Caesar, emperor of Rome, blamed for the great fire of Rome.