Today in History

Armed forces of the Philippines besiege The Peninsula Manila in response to a mutiny led by Senator Antonio Trillanes.

Sarah Jones, Tony and Obie award-winning playwright, actress, poet (Bridge & Tunnel).

Atari announces the release of Pong, the first commercially successful video game.

US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara announces his resignation.

President Lyndon B. Johnson appoints Chief Justice Earl Warren head of a commission to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Algeria bans the Communist Party.

NASA launches a chimpanzee named Enos into Earth orbit.

Janet Napolitano, politician, lawyer; first woman to serve as US Secretary of Homeland Security (2009-2013).

Howard “Howie” Mandel, Canadian comedian, actor (St. Elsewhere), TV host (Deal or No Deal game show), voice actor (Bobby’s World); judge on America’s Got Talent TV show.

The United States announces it will conduct atomic tests at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific.

The popular children’s television show, Kukla, Fran and Ollie, premieres.

Ann Dunham, mother of Barack Obama, 44th President of the US; she was an anthropologist specializing in economic anthropology and rural development.

Chuck Mangione, jazz musician, composer (“Feels So Good”).

Soviet planes bomb an airfield at Helsinki, Finland.