Today in History

1066 – Harold II of England defeats a Norwegian army at the Battle of Stamford Bridge near York. Three weeks later, he loses the Battle of Hastings to Norman invaders. 1513 – Spaniard Vasco Nunez de Balboa becomes the first European to see the Pacific Ocean after crossing the isthmus of Panama. 1789 – US Congress proposes a Bill of Rights, making 12 amendments to the constitution, guaranteeing the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and exercise of religion; the right to fair legal procedure and to bear arms; and that powers not delegated to the federal government be reserved for the states. 1926 – Ford car plants adopt the 8-hour, 5-day working week. Founder Henry Ford says: ‘‘It is high time to rid ourselves of the notion that leisure for workmen is either ‘lost time’ or a class privilege.’’

1951 – First conference of the Ma¯ori Women’s Welfare League, in Wellington.

1956 – First trans-Atlantic telephone cable is put into service, from Oban, Scotland, to Clarenville, Newfoundland.

1957 – Troops escort nine African-American children into Little Rock Central High School, Arkansas, right, as opponents of integration protest outside. 1970 – The Partridge Family, starring David Cassidy, debuts on US television.

1974 – Scientists warn that continued use of aerosol sprays will cause ozone depletion.

1976 – Prime Minister Ian Smith accepts a proposal for eventual majority rule in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

1978 – A passenger jet collides in midair with a small Cessna over San Diego, killing 153 people, including 7 on the ground.

1992 – A judge in Colorado grants 12-year-old Gregory Kingsley the right to legally sever ties with his natural parents, and grants full custody to his foster parents. He changes his name to that of his foster parents.

2005 – Two months after announcing its intention to disarm, the Irish Republican Army gives up its weapons in front of independent inspectors.

2011 – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah decrees that women will for the first time be able to vote and stand for local elections due in 2015.

2013 – Oracle Team USA defeats Team New Zealand 9-8 to win the America’s Cup in San Francisco. Team NZ held an 8-1 lead earlier in the regatta.

2016 – Death of US golfing great Arnold Palmer, aged 87. 2018 – US comedian Bill Cosby is jailed for up to 10 years for a 2004 sexual assault. The sentence was overturned earlier this year.

Birthdays

William Faulkner, US author (1897-1962); Mark Rothko, US artist (1903-70); Dmitri Shostakovich, Russian composer (1906-75); Sir Robert Muldoon, NZ politician (1921-92); Michael Douglas, US actor-producer (1944-); Christopher Reeve, US actor (1952-2004); Will Smith, US actor (1968-); Catherine Zeta-Jones, Welsh-born actor (1969-); Hansie Cronje, South African cricketer (1969-2002).