Today in History

The Organization of African Unity formally admits South Africa as its fifty-third member.

Israeli F-16 fighter-bombers destroy Iraq’s only nuclear reactor.

In Operation Swift Saber, U.S. Marines sweep an area 10 miles northwest of Da Nang in South Vietnam.

Louise Erdrich, American author.

The Japanese invade Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands.

Over 7,000 war veterans march on Washington, D.C., demanding their bonus pay for service in World War I.

Gwendolyn Brooks, African-American poet.

The first vessel passes through the Panama Canal.

Peter Rodino, U.S. congressman, chairman of the Watergate hearings.

Professor Pierre Curie reveals the discovery of Polonium.

The Boxer rebels cut the rail links between Peking and Tientsin in China.

Elizabeth Bowen, British novelist and short story writer (The Death of the Heart).

Mexico City is captured by French troops.

Paul Gaugin, French post-impressionist painter.