Today in History
2013 Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash lands in San Francisco International Airport
The plane was flying from Incheon International Airport in South Korea to San Francisco. The crash, which killed three people and injured at least 190 more, was the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 777 since it entered service in 1995.
2006 Nathula Pass, a trading post between India and China opens for business
The trading post had been closed since the Sino-Indian War of 1962. Part of the Silk Road, the pass connects Tibet with the Indian state of Sikkim.
1975 Comoros becomes independent
The Comoros Islands gained independence after about 137 years of French rule. Their official name is the Union of the Comoros.
1964 Malawi gains its independence from Britain
Between 1953 and 1963, the Southeast African country was a member of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, a British-controlled federation. Nyasaland changed its name to Malawi following the dissolution of the federation and independence.
1912 King Gustaf V officially opens the fifth Summer Olympics in Stockholm
The international multi-event sports meet was the first of its kind to use a photo finish and automatic timing devices for track competitions. The games were attended by 28 countries, including Japan, marking the first time that representatives from all six continents were present at an Olympics.
Births On This Day, July 6
1946 George W. Bush
American politician, 43rd President of the United States
1935 14th Dalai Lama
Tibetan Spiritual leader since 1950
1921 Nancy Reagan
American actress, 40th First Lady of the United States
1907 Frida Kahlo
Mexican painter
1781 Stamford Raffles
British statesman
Deaths On This Day, July 6
1971 Louis Armstrong
American trumpeter, singer
1962 William Faulkner
American author, Nobel Prize laureate
1893 Guy de Maupassant
French writer
1835 John Marshall
American jurist, 4th Chief Justice of the United States
1553 Edward VI of England
