TODAY IN HISTORY

THURSDAY SEP 2, 2021

1969

In what some regard as the birth of the Internet, two connected computers at the University of California, Los Angeles, passed test data through a 15-foot cable.

1666

The Great Fire of London broke out.

1789

The United States Treasury Department was established.

1864

During the Civil War, Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s forces occupied Atlanta.

1944

During World War II, Navy pilot Lt. George Herbert Walker Bush was shot down by Japanese forces as he completed a bombing run over the Bonin Islands.

1945

Japan formally surrendered in ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, ending World War II.

1960

Wilma Rudolph of the United States won the first of her three gold medals at the Rome Summer Olympics as she finished the 100-meter dash in 11 seconds.

1963

Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace prevented the integration of Tuskegee High School by encircling the building with state troopers. “The CBS Evening News” with Walter Cronkite was lengthened from 15 to 30 minutes, becoming network television’s first half-hour nightly newscast.

1998

A Swissair MD-11 jetliner crashed off Nova Scotia, killing all 229 people aboard.

2005

A National Guard convoy packed with food, water and medicine rolled into New Orleans four days after Hurricane Katrina.

2008

Republicans assailed Barack Obama as the most liberal, least experienced White House nominee in history at their convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, and enthusiastically extolled their own man, John Mccain, as ready to lead the nation.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Former Sen. Alan K. Simpson, R-wyo., is 90. Former United States Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth is 84. Singer Jimmy Clanton is 83. R&B singer Sam Gooden (The Impressions) is 82. R&B singer Rosalind Ashford (Martha & the Vandellas) is 78. Singer Joe Simon is 78. Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw is 73. Basketball Hall of Famer Nate Archibald is 73. Actor Mark Harmon is 70.