Today in History

Today is Thursday, Aug. 29, the 241st day of 2013. There are 124 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On August 29, 1943, responding to a clampdown by Nazi occupiers during World War II, Denmark managed to scuttle most of its naval ships.

On this date:

In 1533, the last Incan King of Peru, Atahualpa, was executed on orders of Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro.

In 1862, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began operations at the United States Treasury.

In 1877, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Brigham Young, died in Salt Lake City at age 76.

In 1944, 15,000 American troops marched down the Champs Elysees in Paris as the French capital continued to celebrate its liberation from the Nazis.

In 1952, 4'33" ("Four Minutes, Thirty-three Seconds"), a composition by avant-garde composer John Cage, had its premiere in Woodstock, N.Y., as pianist David Tudor sat at a piano and, for a total of four minutes and 33 seconds, played... nothing.

In 1953, an early version of the animated cartoon character Speedy Gonzales made his debut in the Warner Bros. cartoon "Cat-Tails for Two."

In 1957, the Senate gave final congressional approval to a Civil Rights Act after South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond, then a Democrat, ended a filibuster that had lasted 24 hours.

In 1958, pop superstar Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Ind.

In 1972, swimmer Mark Spitz of the United States won the third of his seven gold medals at the Munich Olympics, finishing first in the 200-meter freestyle.

In 1982, Academy Award-winning actress Ingrid Bergman died in London on her 67th birthday.

In 1987, Academy Award-winning actor Lee Marvin died in Tucson, Ariz., at age 63.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast near Buras, La., bringing floods that devastated New Orleans. More than 1,800 people in the region died.

Ten years ago: A bombing at the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, Iraq, killed at least 85 people, including Shiite leader Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim. Six nations trying to defuse a standoff over North Korea's nuclear program ended their talks in Beijing with an agreement to keep talking. South Dakota congressman Bill Janklow was charged with felony manslaughter in a car accident that claimed the life of motorcyclist Randolph E. Scott. (Janklow was later convicted and served 100 days in jail.)

Five years ago: Republican presidential nominee John McCain picked Sarah Palin, a maverick conservative who had been governor of Alaska for less than two years, to be his running mate.

One year ago: Seizing the Republican National Convention spotlight in Tampa, Fla., vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan promised Mitt Romney would "not duck the tough issues" if he were to win the White House and that their party would move forcefully to solve the nation's economic woes. Hurricane Isaac sidestepped New Orleans, sending the worst of its howling wind and heavy rain into a cluster of rural fishing villages. The NFL announced it would open the regular season with replacement officials.

Today's Birthdays: Actor-director Lord Richard Attenborough is 90. Actress Betty Lynn (TV: "The Andy Griffith Show") is 87. Movie director William Friedkin is 78. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is 77. Actor Elliott Gould is 75. Movie director Joel Schumacher is 74. Former White House Press Secretary James Brady is 73. TV personality Robin Leach is 72. Actor Ray Wise is 66. Actress Deborah Van Valkenburgh is 61. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew is 58. Dancer-choreographer Mark Morris is 57. Country musician Dan Truman (Diamond Rio) is 57. Actress Rebecca DeMornay is 54. Singer Me'Shell NdegeOcello is 44. Rhythm-and-blues singer Carl Martin (Shai) is 43. Actress Carla Gugino is 42. Rock musician Kyle Cook (Matchbox Twenty) is 38. Actor John Hensley is 36. Rock musician David Desrosiers (Simple Plan) is 33. Rapper A+ is 31. Actress Jennifer Landon is 30. Actor Jeffrey Licon is 28. Actress-singer Lea Michele (TV: "Glee") is 27. Rock singer Liam Payne (One Direction) is 20.

Thought for Today: "Don't be 'consistent,' but be simply true." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (1809-1894).

Copyright 2013, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.