TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

August 5, 1962

Actress Marilyn Monroe, 36, was found dead in her Los Angeles home; her death was ruled a probable suicide from “acute barbiturate poisoning.” ALSO ON THIS DATE

1864

During the Civil War, Union Adm. David G. Farragut led his fleet to victory in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama.

1933

President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the National Labor Board, which was later replaced with the National Labor Relations Board.

1936

Jesse Owens of the United States won the 200-meter dash at the Berlin Olympics, collecting the third of his four gold medals.

1953

Operation Big Switch began as remaining prisoners taken during the Korean War were exchanged at Panmunjom.

1961

The amusement park Six Flags Over Texas had its official grand opening day in Arlington.

1962

South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested on charges of leaving the country without a passport and inciting workers to strike; it was the beginning of 27 years of imprisonment.

1967

The U.S. space probe Mariner 7 flew by Mars, sending back photographs and scientific data.

1974

The White House released transcripts of subpoenaed tape recordings showing that President Richard Nixon and his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, had discussed a plan in June 1972 to use the CIA to thwart the FBI’s Watergate investigation; revelation of the tape sparked Nixon’s resignation.

2002

The coral-encrusted gun turret of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor was raised from the floor of the Atlantic, nearly 140 years after the historic warship sank during a storm.