TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT IN HISTORY:

On Sept. 7, 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.

ALSO ON THIS DATE: 1812

The Battle of Borodino took place as French troops clashed with Russian forces outside Moscow. (The battle, ultimately won by Russia, was commemorated by composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky with his “1812Overture.”)

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 “Star-Spangled Banner” after winning the gold and silver medals in the 400-meter run.

1986

Desmond Tutu was installed as the first Black clergyman to lead the Anglican Church in southern Africa.

2005

Police and soldiers went house to house in New Orleans to try to coax the last stubborn holdouts into leaving the city shattered by Hurricane Katrina.

2007

Osama bin Laden appeared in a video for the first time in three years, telling Americans they should convert to Islam if they wanted the war in Iraq to end.

2008

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

2017

One of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in Mexico struck off the country’s southern coast, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing at least 90 people.