Today in History

Israel launches Operation Pillar of Defense against the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip.

First G-20 economic summit convenes, in Washington, DC.

Northern Alliance fighters take control of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul.

Budget standoff between Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress forces temporary closure of national parks and museums; federal agencies forced to operate with skeleton staff.

Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany sign a treaty officially making the Oder-Neisse line the border between their countries.

The Space Shuttle Discovery‘s crew rescues a second satellite.

Lech Walesa, leader of Poland’s outlawed Solidarity movement, is released by communist authorities after 11 months confinement; he would win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 and be elected Poland’s president in 1990.

US President Jimmy Carter freezes all Iranian assets in the United States in response to Iranian militants holding more than 50 Americans hostage.

The United States launches Apollo 12, the second mission to the Moon, from Cape Kennedy.

Yale University announces its plan to go co-ed.

The U.S. First Cavalry Division battles with the North Vietnamese Army in the Ia Drang Valley, the first ground combat for American troops.

Greece frees hundreds who were jailed in the Communist uprising of 1944-1950.

President Kennedy increases the number of American advisors in Vietnam from 1,000 to 16,000.

President Dwight Eisenhower orders U.S. naval units into the Caribbean after Guatemala and Nicaragua charge Castro with starting uprisings.