TODAY IN HISTORY

1850

Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, which created a force of federal commissioners charged with returning escaped slaves to their owners.

1851

The first edition of The New York Times was published.

1970

Rock star Jimi Hendrix died in London at age 27.

1975

Newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was captured by the FBI in San Francisco, 19 months after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

2001

Letters postmarked Trenton, N.J., that later tested positive for anthrax were sent to the New York Post and NBC anchorman Tom Brokaw.

2010

Despite Taliban rocket strikes and bombings, Afghans voted for a new parliament in the first election since a fraudmarred ballot cast doubt on the legitimacy of the embattled government.

Birthdays

Actor Robert Blake is 88. Singer Frankie Avalon is 81. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino is 69. Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is 62. Actor Jada Pinkett Smith is 50. Comedian-actor Jason Sudeikis is 46. Designer Brandon Maxwell is 37. Actors Brandon and Taylor Porter are 28. Actor C.J. Sanders is 25.