It happened on a… August 5

2016

XXXI Summer Olympic Games officially open in Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

2011

NASA announced that its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter had captured photographic evidence of possible liquid water on Mars during warm seasons.

1992

4 officers of the Los Angeles Police Department, acquttied on charges of beating Rodney King, are indicted on civil rights charges.

1981

US President Regan fires 11,500 striking air traffic controllers.

1980

Montreal Expos Dick Williams wins his 1,000th career game as a manager in 11-5 win v Mets.

1966

The Beatles release their “Revolver” album in the UK.

1964

US begins bombing North Vietnam.

1962

Apartheid in South Africa: Nelson Mandela is jailed. He would not be released until 1990.

1953

“From Here to Eternity” directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift and Frank Sinatra is released (Academy Awards Best Picture 1954).

1926

Harry Houdini performs his greatest feat, spending 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping.

1914

Canada joins the rest of the British Empire in the war on Germany; the day after the German invasion of Belgium.

1891

World’s 1st traveler’s cheques issued (American Express).

1689

1,500 Iroquois attack and burn the village of Lachine; massacre 24 inhabitants and kidnap 90; 42 of 90 never seen again.