Today in History

Australia’s voters reject a referendum to make the country a republic with a president appointed by Parliament.

The Rova of Antananarivo, home of Madagascar’s sovereigns from the 16th to the 19th centuries, is destroyed by fire.

Emma Stone, actress (Zombieland, Spiderman).

The Iran arms-for-hostages deal is revealed, damaging the Reagan administration.

Guerrillas of the leftist 19th of April Movement seize Colombia’s Palace of Justice in Bogata; during the two-day siege and the military assault to retake the building over 100 people are killed, including 11 of the 25 Supreme Court justices.

Pat Tillman, professional football player who ended his career to enlist in the US Army in the aftermath of the 9 / 11 attacks; he was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan, Apr. 22, 2004.

Coleman Young becomes the first African-American mayor of Detroit, Michigan.

Maria Shriver, journalist, author; First Lady of California while married to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Glenn Frey, singer, songwriter, musician; a founding member of the band Eagles.

Sally Field, actress; won Academy Award for Best Actress in 1979 (Norma Rae) and 1984 (Places in the Heart); won 3 Emmys for work in television.

The first landing of a jet on a carrier takes place on USS Wake Island when an FR-1 Fireball touches down.

Guy Clark, Texas country-folk singer, songwriter (“Desperados Waiting for a Train,” “Texas 1947”).

Mike Nichols, film and stage director (The Graduate).

As European inflation soars, one loaf of bread in Berlin is reported to be worth about 140 billion German marks.