Today in History

Kenyan runner Yobes Ondieki becomes the first man to run 10,000 meters in less than 27 minutes.

Boris Yeltsin is sworn in as the first elected president of the Russian Federation, following the breakup of the USSR.

Coca-Cola Co. announces it will resume selling “old formula Coke,” following a public outcry and falling sales of its “new Coke.”

Adam Petty, race driver, first fourth-generation driver in NASCAR history; his death in 2000 contributed to NASCAR’s decision to mandate a kill switch on steering wheels.

In Seveso, near Milan, Italy, an explosion in a chemical factory covers the surrounding area with toxic dioxin. Time magazine has ranked the Seveso incident No. 8 on its list of the 10 worst environmental disasters.

Singer Bobbie Gentry records “Ode to Billie Joe,” which will become a country music classic and win 4 Grammys.

Alexia, princess of Greece and Denmark.

The satellite Telstar is launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, beaming live television from Europe to the United States.

Belgium sends troops to the Congo to protect whites as the Congolese Bloodbath begins, just 10 days after the former colony became independent of Belgian rule.

Armistice talks between the United Nations and North Korea begin at Kaesong.

Folk singer Arlo Guthrie (“Alice’s Restaurant,” “City of New Orleans”), son of Woody Guthrie.

U.S. carrier-based aircraft begin airstrikes against Japan in preparation for invasion.

Arthur Ashe, American tennis player.