Today in History for 5th August 2024

[CoM Moderators]

Historical Events

1552 - Battle of Ponza: Ottoman naval fleet led by Dragut defeats Genoese fleet under Andrea Doria capturing seven galleys
1944 - US 79th/90th division occupy Laval (Mayenne), southwest of Paris
1964 - Congo rebellion: Christopher Gbenye and Pierre Mulele conquer Stanleyville
1966 - West Indies cricket captain Garfield Sobers scores 174 including a century between lunch and tea to set up a 4th Test win v England at Headingley
1969 - Pirates outfielder Willie Stargell smashes first and longest home run ever hit out of Dodger Stadium; the incomparable shot off Alan Foster, measures 506 feet
1985 - Establishment of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is announced

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Famous Birthdays

1947 - Bernie Carbo, American MLB player, born in Detroit, Michigan
1953 - Samantha Sang [Cheryl Lau Sang], Australian pop singer (Emotion), born in Melbourne
1963 - James Wilder, American actor (Scorchers, Zombie High, Murder 1), born in Cleveland, Ohio
1968 - Tokimitsu Ishizawa, Japanese professional wrestler
1970 - Travis Moore, American CFL receiver (Grey Cup 1998 2001; 3 x CFL All Star; Calgary Stampeders), born in Santa Monica, California
1972 - Aaqib Javed, Pakistani cricketer and pace bowler (1989-98), born in Sheikhupura, Pakistan

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Famous Deaths

1579 - Stanislaus Hosius, Polish Catholic cardinal (b. 1504)
1901 - Victoria, Empress of Germany and Queen of Prussia by marriage to German Emperor Frederick III, dies at 60
1997 - Don Steele, LA radio personality (KRTH), dies of cancer at 61
2000 - Otto Buchsbaum, Austrian writer and ecological activist, dies at 80
2001 - Otema Allimadi, Prime Minister of Uganda (b. 1929)
2011 - Andrzej Lepper, Polish politician (Deputy Prime Minister of Poland), dies at 57

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