Historical Events
1847 – The Liberian Declaration of Independence is signed making Liberia a sovereign nation, independent from the American Colonization Society
1908 – United States Attorney General Charles Joseph Bonaparte issues an order to immediately staff the Office of the Chief Examiner (later renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation)
1952 – King Farouk I of Egypt abdicates [Black Saturday]
1977 – USSR performs underground nuclear Test
1979 – Estimated 109 cm (43″) of rain falls in Alvin, Texas (national record)
1981 – US Open Women’s Golf, La Grange CC: Pat Bradley shoots final round 66 (−6) to finish 1 stroke ahead of runner-up Beth Daniel; second of Bradley’s 6 major titles
Famous Birthdays
1931 – Takashi Ono, Japanese gymnast (Olympic gold 1956, 60), born in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture, Japan
1940 – Dobie Gray [Lawrence Brown], American musician and singer (Drift Away), born in Simonton, Texas (d. 2011)
1957 – Hart Hanson, American television writer and producer, born in Burlingame, California
1970 – Kenny Wilhite, CFL defensive back (Hamilton Tiger Cats)
1981 – Abe Forsythe, Australian actor and director (Down Under), born in Sydney, Australia
1983 – Roderick Strong, American professional wrestler, born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Famous Deaths
1954 – Hans Lodeizen, [Johan Frederik], poet (Travel to Congo), dies at 26
1969 – Raymond Walburn, American actor (Christmas in July), dies after illness at 81
1990 – Brent Mydland, American rock keyboardist and vocalist (Grateful Dead), dies of a drug overdose at 38
1994 – Thomas Davis, US movie editor/son of MGM-chief Frank D, dies at 26
1995 – Raymond Mailloux, Quebec politician (b. 1918)
2001 – Rex Barber, American WWII aviator (b. 1917)