TODAY IN HISTORY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018

On this day in history

1057 - The son of King Duncan kills King Macbeth of Scotland and becomes King Malcolm. 1843 Tivoli Gardens, second oldest operating amusement park in the world, opens in Copenhagen, Denmark. 1914 - The Panama Canal was officially opened to commercial traffic as an American cargo and passenger ship SS Ancon sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

1939 Because of fog, 13 German Air Force Stuka dive bombers crash into the ground during a demonstration of their capabilities. All 26 crew died. 1940 World War I: An Italian submarine sinks the Greek cruiser Elli during peacetime. War broke out between them in October.

1942 World War II: The SS Ohio reaches the island of Malta barely afloat carrying vital fuel supplies for the island’s defences.

1944 World War II: Operation Dragoon: Allied forces land in southern France.

1945 - World War II: Prime Minister Ben Chifley announces the end of the war against Japan, on what is now known as VP Day (Victory in the Pacific) in Australia. Other Allied nations celebrated Victory over Japan (VJ) Day. 1947 India became independent from British rule after nearly 200 years and was divided into India and Pakistan. Founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah becomes first Governor-General of Pakistan in Karachi.

1948 Korean War: Republic of Korea is established south of the 38th parallel.

1961 - East German workers began construction of the Berlin Wall. Border guard Conrad Schumann flees from East Germany while guarding the construction.

1965 –The Beatles play to nearly 60,000 fans at Shea Stadium in New York City, an event later regarded as the birth of stadium rock. 1969– The Woodstock Music & Art Fair opens in upstate New York, featuring some of the top rock musicians of the era. 1973– Vietnam War: The United States bombing of Cambodia ends.