Today in History

US Government assumes conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the country’s two largest mortgage financing companies, during the subprime mortgage crisis.

Hurricane Ivan damages 90% of buildings on the island of Grenada; 39 die in the Category 5 storm.

Pilot and cosmonaut Abdul Ahad Mohmand, the first Afghan to travel to outer space, returns to earth after 9 days aboard the Soviet space station Mir.

Desmond Tutu becomes first black leader of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (now the Anglican Church of South Africa).

ESPN, the Entertainment and Sports Programing Network, debuts.

Secret police agent Francesco Gullino assassinates Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in London by firing a ricin pellet from a specially designed umbrella.

Panama and US sign Torrijos-Carter Treaties to transfer control of the Panama Canal from the US to Panama at the end of the 20th century.

Jockey Bill Shoemaker earns 6,033rd win, breaking Johnny Longden’s record for most lifetime wins; Shoemaker’s record would stand for 29 years.

Pro Football Hall of Fame opens in Canton, Ohio.

Michael Feinstein, singer, musician; archivist for Great American Songbook.

Integration of public schools begins in Washington D.C. and Maryland.

Nikita Krushchev elected first secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Margaret “Peggy” Noonan, author, The Wall Street Journal columnist; special assistant to President Ronald Reagan.

Gloria Gaynor, Grammy Award–winning singer (“I Will Survive”).