Today in History

The United State approves AZT, a drug that is proven to slow the progress of AIDS.

U.S. scientists return from Antarctica with the first land mammal fossils found there.

Patty Hearst is convicted of armed robbery.

Senator Edward Kennedy calls on the United States to close all bases in Taiwan.

President Lyndon B. Johnson orders 4,000 troops to protect the Selma-Montgomery civil rights marchers.

Shelton ‘Spike’ Lee, film director (Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X).

The Allies attack Field Marshall Erwin Rommel‘s forces on the Mareth Line in North Africa.

The British Royal Air Force conducts an all-night air raid on the Nazi airbase at Sylt, Germany.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt names William O. Douglas to the Supreme Court.

The German dirigible, Graf Zepplin, makes the first flight to South America on regular schedule.

Fred Rogers, television performer (Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood).

John Ehrlichman, White House advisor to President Nixon.

Raymond Walter Goulding, Radio comedian of Bob and Ray fame.

The Bolsheviks of the Soviet Union ask for American aid to rebuild their army.

Dame Vera Lynn , British singer.

The French call off the Champagne offensive on the Western Front.

Army officers in Russia mutiny at Sevastopol.

B.F. Skinner, American psychologist.

Harriet Beecher Stowe‘s Uncle Tom’s Cabin is published.

Edgar Allan Poe’s The Murders in the Rue Morgue, considered the first detective story, is published.

Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian dramatist (Peer Gynt, Hedda Gabler).

Napoleon Bonaparte enters Paris and begins his 100-day rule.

Napoleon II, son of Napoleon Bonaparte, Duke of Reichstadt.

In Paris, the Legislative Assembly approves the use of the guillotine.

The Great Fire of Boston destroys 349 buildings.

In India, Nadir Shah of Persia occupies Delhi and takes possession of the Peacock throne.

Henry IV of England is succeed by his son Henry V.

Ovid, Roman poet.