Today in History

US Government assumes conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the country’s two largest mortgage financing companies, during the subprime mortgage crisis.

Hurricane Ivan damages 90% of buildings on the island of Grenada; 39 die in the Category 5 storm.

Pilot and cosmonaut Abdul Ahad Mohmand, the first Afghan to travel to outer space, returns to earth after 9 days aboard the Soviet space station Mir.

Desmond Tutu becomes first black leader of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (now the Anglican Church of South Africa).

ESPN, the Entertainment and Sports Programing Network, debuts.

Secret police agent Francesco Gullino assassinates Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in London by firing a ricin pellet from a specially designed umbrella.

Panama and US sign Torrijos-Carter Treaties to transfer control of the Panama Canal from the US to Panama at the end of the 20th century.

Jockey Bill Shoemaker earns 6,033rd win, breaking Johnny Longden’s record for most lifetime wins; Shoemaker’s record would stand for 29 years.

Pro Football Hall of Fame opens in Canton, Ohio.

Michael Feinstein, singer, musician; archivist for Great American Songbook.

Integration of public schools begins in Washington D.C. and Maryland.

Nikita Krushchev elected first secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Margaret “Peggy” Noonan, author, The Wall Street Journal columnist; special assistant to President Ronald Reagan.

Gloria Gaynor, Grammy Award–winning singer (“I Will Survive”).

Beverley McLachlin, first woman to serve as Chief Justice of Canada.

The Red Army pushes back the German line northwest of Stalingrad.

Germany’s blitz against London begins during the Battle of Britain.

Buddy Holly, singer, songwriter, rock ‘n roll pioneer.

Sonny Rollins, saxophonist.

The U.S. Congress passes the Workman’s Compensation Act.

James Alfred Van Allen, discovered and named the two radiation belts surrounding the Earth.

French aviator Roland Garros sets an altitude record of 13,200 feet.

Elia Kazan, producer, screenwriter and director who won directing Oscars for Gentleman’s Agreement and On the Waterfront.

Taylor Caldwell, novelist.

The first heavyweight-title boxing match fought with gloves under Marquis of Queensbury rules ends when James J. Corbett knocks out John L. Sullivan in the 21st round.

An incubator is used for the first time on a premature infant.

The James-Younger gang botches an attempt to rob the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota.

Union General Phil Sheridan’s troops skirmish with the Confederates under Jubal Early outside Winchester, Virginia.

Edith Sitwell, poet.

The earliest known printed reference to the United States by the nickname “Uncle Sam” occurs in the Troy Post.

On the road to Moscow, Napoleon wins a costly victory over the Russians at Borodino.

Shawnee Indians attack and lay siege to Boonesborough, Kentucky.

England, Austria, and the Netherlands form an Alliance against France.

The town of Trimountaine in Massachusetts is renamed Boston. It became the state capital.

At the Battle of Lepanto in the Mediterranean Sea, the Christian galley fleet destroys the Turkish galley fleet.

Elizabeth I, Queen of England (1558-1603), led her country during the exploration of the New World and war with Spain.