TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT 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.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1862

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing began operations at the United States Treasury.

1864

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

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.

1957

The Senate gave final congressional approval to a Civil Rights Act after South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond (then a Democrat) ended a filibuster that had lasted 24 hours.

1962

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

1966

The Beatles concluded their fourth American tour with their last public concert, held at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

2008

Republican presidential nominee John McCain picked Sarah Palin, a maverick conservative who had been governor of Alaska for less than two years, to be his running mate.

2009

Funeral services were held in Boston for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who was eulogized by President Barack Obama; hours later, Kennedy’s remains were buried at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington.