Today in History

Historical Events

1998

The British government bans landmines. The move came after the public pressurized the parliament to pass the Landmines Act.

1992

Thai Airways International Flight 311 crashes while approaching Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal.. All 113 people onboard were killed in the crash.

1991

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.

1981

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.

1917

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

J. K. Rowling

1965

English author

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes

1962

American martial artist, actor, producer

Primo Levi

Primo Levi

1919

Italian chemist, author

Milton Friedman

Milton Friedman

1912

American economist, Nobel Prize laureate

Carl Friedrich Goerdeler

Carl Friedrich Goerdeler

1884

German politician

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Gore Vidal

Gore Vidal

2012

American author, screenwriter, actor

Mohammed Rafi

Mohammed Rafi

1980

Indian actor, singer

Jim Reeves

Jim Reeves

1964

American singer-songwriter

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

1944

French writer

Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson

1875

American politician, 17th President of the United States