Today in History

Sri Lanka is hit by Cyclone Nisha, bringing the highest rainfall the area had seen in 9 decades; 15 people die, 90,000 are left homeless.

Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia votes to partition the country into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, beginning Jan. 1, 1993.

Typhoon Nina sticks the Philippines with 165 mph winds and a devastating storm surge and causes over 1,030 deaths.

Amber Hagerman, whose kidnapping and murder in Jan. 1996 led to the development of the AMBER Alert system to notify surrounding communities when a child is reported missing or abducted.

Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of US Pres. George W. Bush; she and her sororal twin sister were the first twin children of a US president; presently (2013) a special correspondent to NBC’s Today Show and a contributor to NBC Nightly News.

Christina Applegate, actress (Married . . . with Children, Samantha Who? TV series).

Eleven nations give a total of $3 billion to rescue the value of the British currency.

The body of assassinated President John F. Kennedy is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

John F. Kennedy Jr., elder son of US Pres. John F. Kennedy (assassinated three days before JFK Jr.’s third birthday); co-founded George magazine in 1995; died in plane crash, July 16, 1999.

The Interstate Commerce Commission bans segregation in interstate travel.

Jeffrey Skilling, former CEO of Enron Corp.; convicted of multiple felony charges in 2006, relating to Enron’s financial collapse.

A truce line between U.N. troops and North Korea is mapped out at the peace talks in Panmunjom, Korea.

The Big Four meet to discuss the German and European economy.

The U.S. Supreme Court grants the Oregon Indians land payment rights from the U.S. government.