HISTORY AT A GLANCE

TODAY is Wednesday, August 16, the 228th day of 2017. There are 137 days left in the year. Highlights in history on this date:

1945 – Puyi, the last Chinese emperor and ruler of

Manchukuo, is captured by Soviet troops. 1946 – Mass riots in Kolkata begin, in which more than 4,000

would be killed in 72 hours. 1954 – The first issue of Sports Illustrated is published. 1960 – Cyprus gains its independence from the United

Kingdom. 1960 – Joseph Kittinger parachutes from a balloon over New Mexico at 102,800 feet (31,300 m), setting three records that held until 2012: High-altitude jump, free fall, and highest speed by a human without an aircraft. 1962 – Eight years after the remaining French India territories were handed to India, the ratifications of the treaty are exchanged to make the transfer official. 1964 – Vietnam War: A coup d’état replaces Duong Van Minh with General Nguyen Khánh as President of South Vietnam. A new constitution is established with aid from the U.S. Embassy. 1966 – Vietnam War: The House Un-American Activities Committee begins investigations of Americans who have aided the Viet Cong. The committee intends to introduce legislation making these activities illegal. Anti-war demonstrators disrupt the meeting and 50 people are arrested. 1972 – In an unsuccessful coup d’état attempt, the Royal Moroccan Air Force fires upon Hassan II of Morocco’s plane while he is traveling back to Rabat. 1987 – Northwest Airlines Flight 255 a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 crashes after take off in Detroit, Michigan, killing 154 of the 155 on board, plus two people on the ground. 1989 – A solar flare from the Sun creates a geomagnetic storm that affects micro chips, leading to a halt of all trading on Toronto’s stock market. 2008 – The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago is topped off at 1,389 feet (423 m), at the time becoming the world’s highest residence above ground-level. 2013 – The ferry St. Thomas Aquinas collides with a cargo ship and sinks at Cebu, Philippines, killing 61 people and 59 others missing. 2015 – More than 96 people have been killed and hundreds injured following a series of air-raids by the Syrian Arab Air Force on the rebel-held market town of Douma. 2015 – At least 22 people are dead following a suicide

bombing in Punjab, Pakistan.