TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

Aug. 30, 1963

The “Hot Line” communications link between Washington and Moscow went into operation.

ALSO ON THIS DATE

1862

Confederate forces won victories against the Union at the SecondBattle of Bull Runin Manassas, Va., and the Battle of Richmond in Kentucky.

1941

During World War II, German forces approaching Leningrad cut off the remaining rail line out of the city.

1945

U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur arrived in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters.

1967

The Senate confirmed the appointment of Thurgood Marshall as the first black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

1984

The space shuttle Discovery was launched on its inaugural flight.

1986

Soviet authorities arrested Nicholas Daniloff, a correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, as a spy a week after American officials arrested Gennadiy Zakharov, a Soviet employee of the United Nations, on espionage charges in NewYork.

1991

Azerbaijan declared its independence, joining the stampede of republics seeking to secede fromthe Soviet Union.

2005

A day after Hurricane Katrina hit, floods were covering 80percent of New Orleans, looting continued to spread and rescuers in helicopters and boats picked up hundreds of stranded people.

2007

In a serious breach of nuclear security, a B-52bomber armed with six nuclear warheads flew cross-country unnoticed; the Air Force later punished 70people.