Today in History

Israel invades Lebanon.

U.S. troops pull out of Cambodia.

Israel removes barricades, re-unifying Jerusalem.

The U.S. Air Force bombs fuel storage facilities near Hanoi, North Vietnam.

The Soviet Union sends tanks to Poznan, Poland, to put down anti-Communist demonstrations.

The United States invites the Soviet Union to the Korean peace talks on a ship in Wonsan Harbor.

President Harry S. Truman authorizes a sea blockade of Korea.

Stokely Carmichael, African-American civil rights leader.

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, and Olympic National Park, Washington, are founded.

Siam’s army seizes Bangkok and announces an end to the absolute monarchy.

Oriana Fallaci, Italian journalist.

Fascists in Rome add an hour to the work day in an economic efficiency measure.

An earthquake ravages Santa Barbara, California.

The Ukraine proclaims independence from Russia.

Frank Loesser, songwriter.

Russian troops intervene as riots erupt in ports all over the country, leaving many ships looted.

The British government officially protests Belgian atrocities in the Congo.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, aviator and writer.

Professor Frederick Treves performs the first appendectomy in England.

James Van Der Zee, African-American photographer.

France annexes Tahiti.

William E. Borah, Republican senator from Idaho, opponent of the League of Nations.

Union forces, falling back from Richmond, fight at the Battle of Savage’s Station.

William James Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

George Washington Goethals, engineer of the Panama Canal.

The British parliament passes the Townshend Revenue Act, levying taxes on America.

Massachusetts declares itself an independent commonwealth.

Ferdinand III of Castile and Leon take Cordoba in Spain.