TODAY IN HISTORY

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 29, the 241st day of 2018. There are 124 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast near Buras, Louisiana, bringing floods that devastated New Orleans. More than 1,800 people in the region died.

On this date:

In 1862, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began operations at the United States Treasury.

In 1864, the Democratic National Convention, which nominated Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan for president, opened in Chicago.

In 1877, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Brigham Young, died in Salt Lake City, Utah, at age 76.

In 1944, 15,000 American troops of the 28th Infantry Division marched down the Champs Elysees in Paris as the French capital continued to celebrate its liberation from the Nazis.

In 1958, pop superstar Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Ind.

In 1962, Malvin R. Goode began covering the United Nations for ABC-TV, becoming network television’s first black reporter.

In 1964, Roy Orbison’s single “Oh, Pretty Woman” was released on the Monument label.

In 1965, Gemini 5, carrying astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles “Pete” Conrad, splashed down in the Atlantic after eight days in space.

In 1972, swimmer Mark Spitz of the United States won the third of his seven gold medals at the Munich Olympics, finishing first in the 200-meter freestyle.

Today’s Birthdays: Actress Betty Lynn (TV: “The Andy Griffith Show”) is 92. Actor Elliott Gould is 80. Movie director Joel Schumacher is 79. Actress Deborah Van Valkenburgh is 66. Actress Rebecca DeMornay is 59. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch is 51. Actress Carla Gugino is 47. Rock musician Kyle Cook (Matchbox Twenty) is 43. Actress-singer Lea Michele is 32. Rock singer Liam Payne (One Direction) is 25.

Thought for Today: “People are very open-minded about new things — as long as they’re exactly like the old ones.” — Charles F. Kettering, American inventor (1876-1958).