TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

July 29, 1967

An accidental rocket launch on the deck of the supercarrier USS Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin resulted in a fire and explosions that killed 134 servicemen.

ALSO ON THIS DATE

1030

The patron saint of Norway, King Olaf II, was killed in battle.

1588

The English attacked the Spanish Armada in the Battle of Gravelines, resulting in an English victory.

1890

Artist Vincent van Gogh, 37, died of an apparently selfinflicted gunshot wound in Auvers-sur-Oise, France.

1914

Transcontinental telephone service in the U.S. became operational with the first test conversation between New York and San Francisco. Massachusetts’ Cape Cod Canal, offering a shortcut across the base of the peninsula, was officially opened to shipping traffic.

1921

Adolf Hitler became the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party.

1948

Britain’s King George VI opened the Olympic Games in London.

1957

The International Atomic Energy Agency was established. Jack Paar made his debut as host of NBC’s “Tonight Show.”

1958

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating NASA.