TODAY IN HISTORY

1936

Jesse Owens of the United States won the 200-meter dash at the Berlin Olympics, the third of his four gold medals.

1953

Operation Big Switch began as remaining prisoners taken during the Korean War were exchanged at Panmunjom.

1954

24 boxers became the first inductees into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

1962

South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested, the beginning of 27 years of imprisonment.

1981

The federal government began firing air traffic controllers who had gone on strike.