TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1940, Vidkun Quisling became leader of Nazi-occupied Norway.

In 1956, the transatlantic telephone cable system between Britain and North America was inaugurated with a three-way exchange of greetings between London, Ottawa, and New York. The $42-million network, which linked Oban, Scotland, to Clarenville, Nfld., consisted of two lines -- one each for east and west-bound calls -- laid 32 kilometres apart on the ocean floor.

In 1973, the American “Skylab 2” made a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after spending 59 days in orbit.

In 1973, Gordie Howe made his first pro hockey appearance with sons Mark and Marty in a WHA exhibition game for the Houston Aeros. Mark set up his dad for a goal 21 seconds into the game against the New England Whalers.

In 1977, thousands attended the funeral of black South African activist Steven Biko, who had died in prison.

In 1978, a Pacific Southwest Airlines Boeing 727 and a Cessna private plane collided in the air over San Diego, Calif., killing 150.

In 1979, the “Montreal Star” newspaper folded after 110 years of publication.

In 1980, the Cuban government finally ended the exodus of refugees after some 125,000 had fled to the United States.

In 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor was sworn in and took her seat as the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.