Happenings

Detroit — A number of unions, creditors and retirees are expected to file formal objections to Detroit’s eligibility for bankruptcy protection.

Syria — United Nations experts in Syria begin investigations into alleged use of chemical weapons during the country’s civil war.

History

Highlight: In 1848, the New York Herald reported the discovery of gold in California.

In 1807, Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat arrived in Albany, two days after leaving New York.

In 1812, the USS Constitution defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere off Nova Scotia during the War of 1812, earning the nickname “Old Ironsides.”

In 1918, “Yip! Yip! Yaphank,” a musical revue by Irving Berlin featuring Army recruits from Camp Upton in Yaphank, N.Y., opened on Broadway.

In 1934, a plebiscite in Germany approved the vesting of sole executive power in Adolf Hitler.

In 1936, the first of a series of show trials orchestrated by Soviet leader Josef Stalin began in Moscow as 16 defendants faced charges of conspiring against the government. All were convicted and executed.

In 1942, during World War II, about 6,000 Canadian and British soldiers launched a disastrous raid against the Germans at Dieppe, France, suffering more than 50 percent casualties.

In 1951, the owner of the St. Louis Browns, Bill Veeck, sent in 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel to pinch-hit in a game against Detroit. In his only major league at-bat, Gaedel walked on four pitches and was replaced at first base by a pinch-runner.

In 1960, a tribunal in Moscow convicted American U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers of espionage. Although sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, Powers was returned to the United States in 1962 as part of a prisoner exchange.

In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford won the Republican presidential nomination at the party’s convention in Kansas City.

In 1980, 301 people aboard a Saudi Arabian L-1011 died as the jetliner made a fiery emergency return to the Riyadh airport.

In 1982, Soviet cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya became the second woman to be launched into space.

In 1991, Soviet hard-liners made the stunning announcement that President Mikhail S. Gorbachev had been removed from power in a coup attempt that collapsed two days later.

Ten years ago: A suicide truck bomb struck U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, killing 22, including the top U.N. envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello. A suicide bombing of a bus in Jerusalem killed 22 people.

Five years ago: Tropical Storm Fay rolled ashore in Florida short of hurricane strength but mysteriously gained speed as it headed over land.

One year ago: Tony Scott, 68, director of such Hollywood hits as “Top Gun” and “Days of Thunder,” died in Los Angeles after jumping from a suspension bridge.

Birthdays

Singer Johnny Nash is 73. Actor and former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson is 71. Rock singer Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) is 68. Former President Bill Clinton is 67. Tipper Gore, wife of former Vice President Al Gore, is 65. Actor-director Jonathan Frakes is 61. Political consultant Mary Matalin is 60. Actor Peter Gallagher is 58. Actor John Stamos is 50. Actress Kyra Sedgwick is 48. Actor Kevin Dillon is 48. Country singer Lee Ann Womack is 47. Actor Matthew Perry is 44. Actor J. Evan Bonifant is 28. Rapper Romeo is 24.

— From wire reports