Today in History

1066 – Harold II of England defeats Norwegians at Battle of Stamford Bridge near York. Three weeks later, he loses Battle of Hastings. 1513 – Spanish explorer Vasco

Nunez de Balboa, right, becomes the first European to see the Pacific Ocean after crossing the isthmus of Panama.

1818 – The first transfusion using human blood takes place at Guy’s Hospital in London.

1956 – The first trans-Atlantic telephone cable is put into service, from Oban, Scotland, to Clarenville, Newfoundland.

1957 – United States National Guardsmen escort nine black children into Little Rock Central High School, Arkansas as whites protest outside.

1974 – Scientists warn that continued use of aerosol sprays will cause ozone depletion.

1976 – Prime Minister Ian Smith accepts a proposal for eventual black rule in Rhodesia.

1981 – Sandra Day O’Connor sworn in as first female justice of the US Supreme Court.

1988 – American sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner wins the women’s 100m at the Seoul Olympics.

2000 – At the Sydney Olympics, Cathy Freeman takes gold in the women’s 400m.

2011 – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, considered a reformer by the standards of his own ultraconservative kingdom, decrees that women will for the first time have the right to vote and stand for

local elections due in 2015.

2016 – Death of US golfing great Arnold Palmer, aged 87.

Birthdays:

Barbara Walters, US TV commentator (1929-); Michael Douglas, US actor-producer (1944-); Christopher Reeve, US actor (1952-2004); Heather Locklear, US actress (1961-); Will Smith, US actor/ singer (1968-); Catherine ZetaJones, Welsh-born actress (1969-); Hansie Cronje, South African cricketer (1969-2002).