Today in History

Huntington Library makes the Dead Sea Scrolls available to the public for the first time.

The Iran-Iraq War begins as Iraq invades Iran; lasting until August 1988, it was the longest conventional war of the 20th century.

Sara Jane Moore attempts to assassinate US President Gerald Ford, the second attempt on his life in less than three weeks.

Princess Martha Louise of Norway.

President Richard M. Nixon signs a bill giving the District of Columbia representation in the U.S. Congress.

Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants becomes the first baseball player since Babe Ruth to hit 600 home runs.

President John Kennedy signs a congressional act establishing the Peace Corps.

Saul Perlmutter, astrophysicist; shared 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for providing evidence the expansion of the universe is accelerating.

Joan Jett, singer, songwriter, musician, producer, actress (“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”).

Debby Boone, multiple Grammy Award–winning singer, author, actress; “You Light Up My Life” set a a record in 1977 with 10 weeks at the No. 1 spot on music charts.

James “Hoss” Cartwright, US Marine Corps general; commander of US Strategic Command 2004-07.

A Douglas C-54 Skymaster makes the first automatic pilot flight over the Atlantic.

President Harry Truman accepts U.S. Secretary of War Stimson’s recommendation to designate the war World War II.

Junko Tabei, Japanese mountain climber; first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Fay Weldon, author (The Life and Loves of a She-Devil).