TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

July 28, 1976

An earthquake devastated northern China, killing at least 242,000people, according to an official estimate.

ALSO ON THIS DATE

1655

French dramatist and novelist Cyrano de Bergerac, the inspiration for a play by Edmond Rostand, died in Paris at age 36.

1794

Maximilien Robespierre, a leading figure of the French Revolution, was sent to the guillotine.

1945

A U.S. Army bomber crashed into the 79th floor of New York’s Empire State Building, killing 14people. The U.S. Senate ratified the United Nations Charter by a vote of 89-2.