Today in History
Historical Events
The British government bans landmines. The move came after the public pressurized the parliament to pass the Landmines Act.
Thai Airways International Flight 311 crashes while approaching Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal.. All 113 people onboard were killed in the crash.
US and USSR sign Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. The treaty, also known as START I, limited the number of nuclear weapons and missiles the signatories could deploy. It came into force in December 1994, and expired 15 years later in 2009.
First female president of the US National Bar Association is appointed. Arnette R. Hubbard became the first woman to preside over the US National Bar Association, the country's largest group of association of African-American lawyers and judges.
Third Battle of Ypres begins. Also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, the battle was part of World War I and took place between July 31 and November 6 for control of the Belgian city of Ypres.
Famous Births
Born on this day

J. K. Rowling
1965
English author

Wesley Snipes
1962
American martial artist, actor, producer

Primo Levi
1919
Italian chemist, author

Milton Friedman
1912
American economist, Nobel Prize laureate

Carl Friedrich Goerdeler
1884
German politician
Famous Deaths
Died on this day

Gore Vidal
2012
American author, screenwriter, actor

Mohammed Rafi
1980
Indian actor, singer

Jim Reeves
1964
American singer-songwriter

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
1944
French writer

Andrew Johnson
1875
American politician, 17th President of the United States