Today in History

Today is Friday, August 29, the 241st day of 2014. There are 124 days left in the year.

Today’s highlight:

On August 29, 1944, 15,000 American troops of the 28th Infantry Division marched down the Champs Elysees in Paris as the French capital continued to celebrate its liberation from the Nazis.

On this date:

In 1533, the last Incan King of Peru, Atahualpa (ah-tuh-WAHL’-puh), was executed on orders of Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro.

In 1814, during the War of 1812, Alexandria, Virginia, formally surrendered to British military forces, which occupied the city until Sept. 3.

In 1864, the Democratic National Convention, which nominated Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan for president, opened in Chicago.

In 1877, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Brigham Young, died in Salt Lake City, Utah, at age 76.

In 1910, Korean Emperor Sunjong abdicated as the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty went into effect.

In 1935, the film “Top Hat,” starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

In 1958, pop superstar Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana.

In 1964, Roy Orbison’s single “Oh, Pretty Woman” was released on the Monument label.

In 1972, swimmer Mark Spitz of the United States won the third of his seven gold medals at the Munich Olympics, finishing first in the 200-meter freestyle.

In 1982, Academy Award-winning actress Ingrid Bergman died in London on her 67th birthday.

In 1987, Academy Award-winning actor Lee Marvin died in Tucson, Arizona, at age 63.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast near Buras, Louisiana, bringing floods that devastated New Orleans. More than 1,800 people in the region died.

Ten years ago: Tropical Storm Gaston made landfall in South Carolina at near-hurricane strength. Protesters filling 20 city blocks peacefully swarmed Manhattan’s streets on the eve of the Republican National Convention to demand that President George W. Bush be turned out of office. A car bomb at the office of a U.S. security contractor in Afghanistan killed about ten people, including three Americans. Closing ceremonies were held in Athens, Greece, for the Olympic games.

Five years ago: Funeral services were held in Boston for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who was eulogized by President Barack Obama; hours later, Kennedy’s remains were buried at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington. Eight people were found beaten to death at a mobile home in Glynn County, Georgia; family member Guy Heinze Jr., who reported finding the bodies, was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Space shuttle Discovery and seven astronauts blazed into orbit on a flight to the international space station.

One year ago: In a sweeping new policy statement, the Justice Department said it would not stand in the way of states that wanted to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana as long as there were effective controls to keep marijuana away from kids, the black market and federal property. The NFL agreed to pay $765 million to settle lawsuits from thousands of former players who developed dementia or other concussion-related health problems they say were caused by the on-field clashes.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor-director Lord Richard Attenborough is 91. Actress Betty Lynn (TV: “The Andy Griffith Show”) is 88. Movie director William Friedkin is 79. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is 78. Actor Elliott Gould is 76. Movie director Joel Schumacher is 75. TV personality Robin Leach is 73. Actor Ray Wise is 67. Actress Deborah Van Valkenburgh is 62. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is 59. Dancer-choreographer Mark Morris is 58. Country musician Dan Truman (Diamond Rio) is 58. Actress Rebecca DeMornay is 55. Singer Me’Shell NdegeOcello (n-DAY’-gay-OH’-chehl-oh) is 45. Rhythm-and-blues singer Carl Martin (Shai) is 44. Actress Carla Gugino is 43. Rock musician Kyle Cook (Matchbox Twenty) is 39. Actor John Hensley is 37. Rock musician David Desrosiers (Simple Plan) is 34. Rapper A+ is 32. Actress Jennifer Landon is 31. Actor Jeffrey Licon is 29. Actress-singer Lea Michele (TV: “Glee”) is 28. Rock singer Liam Payne (One Direction) is 21.

Thought for Today: “People are very open-minded about new things — as long as they’re exactly like the old ones.” — Charles F. Kettering, American inventor (1876-1958).