Today in History

Hurricane Ike makes landfall in Texas; it had already been the most costly storm in Cuba’s history and becomes the third costliest in the US.

UN adopts non-binding Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Oslo Accords, granting limited Palestinian autonomy, are signed by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat at the White House.

Hurricane Gilbert becomes the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, based on barometric pressure. Hurricane Wilma will break that record in 2005.

Ben Savage, actor (Boy Meets World TV series).

The United States announces it will veto Vietnam’s UN bid.

Mahima Chaudhry, Indian actress, model; Bollywood Movie Award for Dhadkan (2001).

Michael Johnson, Olympic sprinter; won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championship gold medals.

An unmanned Mercury capsule is orbited and recovered by NASA in a test.

In Korea, U.S. Army troops begin their assault in Heartbreak Ridge. The month-long struggle will cost 3,700 casualties.

Nell Carter, singer and actress; won Tony and Emmy awards (Ain’t Misbehaving).

Iran demands the withdrawal of Allied forces.

Peter Cetera, singer, songwriter, musician, producer; member of the band Chicago before embarking on solo career (“After All,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”).

Judith Martin, journalist and author best known as “Miss Manners” for her syndicated newspaper column on etiquette.