GMT 8-28-2018

Today in History August 28

1938 The first degree given to a ventriloquist's dummy is awarded to Charlie McCarthy--Edgar Bergen's wooden partner. The honorary degree, "Master of Innuendo and Snappy Comeback," is presented on radio by Ralph Dennis, the dean of the School of Speech at Northwestern University.

1965 The Viet Cong are routed in the Mekong Delta by U.S. forces, with more than 50 killed.

1968 Clash between police and anti-war demonstrators during Democratic Party's National Convention in Chicago.

1981 John Hinckley Jr. pleads innocent to attempting to assassinate Pres. Ronald Reagan.

1982 First Gay Games held, in San Francisco.(land of the fruits and nuts)

2003 Power blackout affects half-million people in southeast England and halts 60% of London's underground trains.

2005 Hurricane Katrina reaches Category 5 strength; Louisiana Superdome opened as a "refuge of last resort" in New Orleans.

2012 US Republican convention nominates Mitt Romney as the party's presidential candidate.

Born on August 28


1965 Shania Twain (Eilleen Regina Edwards), five-time Grammy-winning singer ("You're Still the One"); only female artist to have three consecutive Diamond albums (10 million units sold).


1982 Leann Rimes, Grammy-winning singer ("Blue"), actress, (Northern Lights).