Today in history: August 5
Movie star Marilyn Monroe, 36, was found dead in her Los Angeles home; her death was ruled a probable suicide from “acute barbiturate poisoning.”
1884: Statue of Liberty
In 1884, the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal was laid on Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor.
1953: Operation Big Switch
In 1953, Operation Big Switch began as remaining prisoners taken during the Korean War were exchanged at Panmunjom.
1957: American Bandstand
In 1957, the teenage dance show “American Bandstand,” hosted by Dick Clark, made its network debut on ABC-TV.
1962: Marilyn Monroe
Movie star Marilyn Monroe, 36, was found dead in her Los Angeles home; her death was ruled a probable suicide from “acute barbiturate poisoning.”
1962: Nelson Mandela
In 1962, South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested on charges of leaving the country without a passport and inciting workers to strike; it was the beginning of 27 years of imprisonment.
1964: Everett Alvarez Jr.
In 1964, U.S. Navy pilot Everett Alvarez Jr. became the first American flier to be shot down and captured by North Vietnam; he was held prisoner until February 1973.
1974: Richard Nixon
In 1974, the White House released transcripts of subpoenaed tape recordings showing that President Richard Nixon and his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, had discussed a plan in June 1972 to use the CIA to thwart the FBI’s Watergate investigation; revelation of the tape sparked Nixon’s resignation.
2012: Andy Murray
Britain’s Andy Murray cruised past Roger Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in the men’s tennis singles final.
2012: The robotic explorer Curiosity
The robotic explorer Curiosity blazed through the pink skies of Mars, steering itself to a gentle landing inside a giant crater.
2021: Amber Guyger
A Texas appeals court upheld the murder conviction of Amber Guyger, a former Dallas police officer who was sentenced to prison for fatally shooting her neighbor in his home.
2021: Richard Trumka
One year ago: Richard Trumka, who rose from the coal mines of Pennsylvania to preside over one of the world’s largest labor organizations, the AFL-CIO, died at 72.
Things to know today: Senate Democrats reach accord on economic bill with Sinema's support; China continues escalation; is US hiring slowing? Get caught up.