Today in History

The British ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsizes in the Channel off the coast of Belgium. At least 26 are dead.

President Reagan announces plans to cut 37,000 federal jobs.

Islamic militants in Tehran say that they will turn over the American hostages to the Revolutionary Council.

Iran and Iraq announce that they have settled the border dispute.

President Richard Nixon imposes price controls on oil and gas.

President Lyndon B. Johnson announces his plan to establish a draft lottery.

The United States announces that it will send 3,500 troops to Vietnam.

The Swiss grant women the right to vote in municipal elections.

Upon Josef Stalin’s death, Georgi Malenkov is named Soviet premier.

During talks in Berlin, the Western powers agree to internationalize the Ruhr region.

Winston Churchill opposes the withdrawal of troops from India.

Cologne, Germany, falls to General Courtney Hodges‘ First Army.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, operatic soprano.

British RAF fliers bomb Essen and the Krupp arms works in the Ruhr, Germany.

In Spain, Jose Miaja takes over Madrid government after a military coup and vows to seek “peace with honor.”