Today in History

Today is Saturday, August 29, the 241st day of 2015. There are 124 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast near Buras, Louisiana, bringing floods that devastated New Orleans. More than 1,800 people in the region died.

On this date:

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

In 1814, during the War of 1812, Alexandria, Virginia, formally surrendered to British military forces, which occupied the city until September 3.

In 1864, the Democratic National Convention, which nominated Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan for president, opened in Chicago.

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

In 1915, Academy Award-winning actress Ingrid Bergman was born in Stockholm, Sweden. (Bergman died in London on this date in 1982 at age 67.)

In 1935, the film "Top Hat," starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

In 1944, 15,000 American troops of the 28th Infantry Division marched down the Champs Elysees in Paris as the French capital continued to celebrate its liberation from the Nazis.

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

In 1964, Roy Orbison's single "Oh, Pretty Woman" was released on the Monument label.

In 1965, Gemini 5, carrying astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles "Pete" Conrad, splashed down in the Atlantic after 8 days in space.

In 1975, Irish statesman Eamon de Valera died near Dublin at age 92.

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

Ten years ago: Economist Jude Wanniski, who advocated tax cuts as economic stimulus and was credited with coining the term "supply-side economics," died in Morristown, New Jersey, at age 69.

Five years ago: Five years after Hurricane Katrina's wrath, President Barack Obama sought to reassure disaster-weary Gulf Coast residents during a speech at Xavier University that he would not abandon their cause. "Mad Men" received its third consecutive Emmy Award for best drama series; "Modern Family" won for best comedy series. The United States' five-year reign as Little League World Series champions ended as Tokyo defeated Waipahu, Hawaii, 4-1. Brian McCann hit a game-winning homer with help from video replay, giving the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Florida Marlins; it was the first time a game ended using a video review.

One year ago: A federal judge threw out new Texas abortion restrictions that would have effectively closed more than a dozen clinics statewide in a victory for opponents of tough new anti-abortion laws sweeping across the U.S. (The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later ruled that Texas could fully implement the abortion law, but the Supreme Court later said the clinics should be allowed to operate, pending appeal.)

Today's Birthdays: Actress Betty Lynn (TV: "The Andy Griffith Show") is 89. Movie director William Friedkin is 80. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is 79. Actor Elliott Gould is 77. Movie director Joel Schumacher is 76. TV personality Robin Leach is 74. Actress Deborah Van Valkenburgh is 63. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is 60. Dancer-choreographer Mark Morris is 59. Country musician Dan Truman (Diamond Rio) is 59. Actress Rebecca DeMornay is 56. Singer Me'Shell NdegeOcello is 46. Rhythm-and-blues singer Carl Martin (Shai) is 45. Actress Carla Gugino is 44. Rock musician Kyle Cook (Matchbox Twenty) is 40. Actor John Hensley is 38. Rock musician David Desrosiers (Simple Plan) is 35. Rapper A+ is 33. Actress Jennifer Landon is 32. Actor Jeffrey Licon is 30. Actress-singer Lea Michele is 29. Actress Nicole Gale Anderson is 25. Rock singer Liam Payne (One Direction) is 22.

Thought for Today: "Be yourself. The world worships the original." -- Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982).

Copyright 2015, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.