1914: The last known passenger pigeon, named Martha, died in the Cincinnati Zoo, marking the extinction of the species.

1939: Germany invaded Poland, marking the beginning of World War II in Europe.

1969: A coup in Libya brought Muammar Gaddafi to power.

1972: Bobby Fischer became the World Chess Champion by defeating Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in Reykjavik, Iceland.

1977: Ethel Waters, a pioneering African-American actress and singer, died.

1985: The wreck of the Titanic was found in the North Atlantic Ocean by a joint American-French expedition.

Celebrity Birthdays

Gloria Estefan (1957) – Cuban-American singer, songwriter, and actress, best known for her hits with Miami Sound Machine.

Lily Tomlin (1939) – Acclaimed American actress and comedian.

Dr. Phil McGraw (1950) – Television personality and psychologist.

Barry Gibb (1946) – English-Australian singer, songwriter, and producer; a member of the Bee Gees.

Conway Twitty (1933 – 1993) – Country music singer.

Rocky Marciano (1923 – 1969) – Professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion.

Boxcar Willie (1931 – 1999) – American country music singer.

Mehmet Oz (1960) – Television personality, surgeon, and host of “The Dr. Oz Show”.

Yvonne De Carlo (1922 – 2007) – Canadian-American actress best known for her role as Lily Munster in “The Munsters”.

Bianca Ryan (1994) – American singer, and the first winner of “America’s Got Talent”.

Today In History