TODAY IN HISTORY

1936

Rock-and-roll legend Buddy Holly was born Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock, Texas.

1940

Nazi Germany began its eight-month blitz of Britain during World War II with the first air attack on London.

1972

The International Olympic Committee banned Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett of the U.S. from further competition for talking to each other on the victory stand in Munich during the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” after winning the gold and silver medals in the 400-meter run.

1977

The Panama Canal treaties, calling for the U.S. to eventually turn over control of the waterway to Panama, were signed in Washington by President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos.

1996

Rapper Tupac Shakur was shot and mortally wounded on the Las Vegas Strip; he died six days later.

2008

Troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed in government conservatorship.