TODAY IN HISTORY

TUESDAY SEP 7, 2021 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.

1812

The Battle of Borodino took place as French troops clashed with Russian forces outside Moscow.

1936

Rock-and-roll legend Buddy Holly was born Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock, Texas.

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 playing of 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.

1996

Rapper Tupac Shakur was shot and mortally wounded on the Las Vegas Strip; he died six days later.

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.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Jazz musician Sonny Rollins is 91. Singer Gloria Gaynor is 78. Singer Alfa Anderson (Chic) is 75. Actor Susan Blakely is 73. Rock musician Dennis Thompson (MC5) is 73. Actor Julie Kavner is 71. Rock singer Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) is 70. Rock musician Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) is 68. Actor Corbin Bernsen is 67.