Today in History
Historical Events
Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash lands in San Francisco International Airport. The plane was en route to San Francisco from Incheon International Airport, South Korea. The crash, which killed 3 people and injured at least 190 others, was the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 777 since it came on the market in 1995.
Nathula Pass, a trading post between India and China opens for business. The trading post had been closed since the Sino-Indian war of 1962. Part of the Silk Road, the pass connects Tibet with the Indian state of Sikkim.
Comoros becomes independent. The Comoros Islands gained independence after about 137 years of French rule. Their official name is the Union of the Comoros.
Malawi gains its independence from Britain. Between 1953 and 1963, the Southeast African country was part of a British controlled federation called Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. After dissolution of the federation and independence, Nyasaland changed its name to Malawi.
The fifth Summer Olympics are officially opened in Stockholm. The international multi-event sports meet was the first such event in history to introduce the photo finish and automatic timing devices for track competitions. 28 countries, including Japan, participated in the games, making it the first time representatives from all 6 continents were present at an Olympics.
Famous Births
Born on this day

George W. Bush
1946
American politician, 43rd President of the United States

14th Dalai Lama
1935
Tibetan Spiritual leader since 1950

Nancy Reagan
1921
American actress, 40th First Lady of the United States

Frida Kahlo
1907
Mexican painter

Stamford Raffles
1781
British statesman
Famous Deaths
Died on this day

Louis Armstrong
1971
American trumpeter, singer

William Faulkner
1962
American author, Nobel Prize laureate

Guy de Maupassant
1893
French writer

John Marshall
1835
American jurist, 4th Chief Justice of the United States

Edward VI of England
1553