Today is Thursday, Dec. 29, the 364th day of 2016. There are two days left in the year.

Today’s birthdays: Actress Mary Tyler Moore is 80. Actor Jon Voight is 78. Rock flautist Ray Thomas is 75. Singer Marianne Faithfull is 70. Hall of Fame Jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. is 70. Actor Ted Danson is 69. Singer-actress Yvonne Elliman is 65. Actress Patricia Clarkson is 57. Comedian Paula Poundstone is 57. Actor Jude Law is 44. Actress Maria Dizzia is 42.

In 1170, Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, was slain in the cathedral by knights loyal to King Henry II.

In 1812, during the War of 1812, the USS Constitution engaged and severely damaged the British frigate Java off Brazil.

In 1845, Texas was admitted as the 28th state.

In 1890, the Wounded Knee massacre took place in South Dakota as an estimated 300 Sioux were killed by US troops sent to disarm them.

In 1940, during World War II, Germany dropped bombs on London, setting off what came to be known as ‘‘The Second Great Fire of London.’’

In 1975, a bomb exploded at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, killing 11 people (it’s never been determined who was responsible).

In 1996, guerrilla and government leaders in Guatemala signed an accord ending 36 years of civil conflict.

In 2006, word reached the United States of the execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Last year, Belgian authorities said they had arrested two men and seized Islamic State propaganda in connection with a suspected terror plot.