1889

The Eiffel Tower opened to the public as part of the Paris World’s Fair.

1935

The Works Progress Administration was established under an executive order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1937

The hydrogen-filled German airship Hindenburg caught fire and crashed while attempting to dock at Lakehurst, New Jersey; 35 of the 97 people on board and one crew member on the ground were killed.

1954

Medical student Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile during a track meet in Oxford, England, finishing in 3:59.4.

2004

President George W. Bush apologized for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison, calling it “a stain on our country’s honor and reputation,” but rejected calls for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s resignation.

Birthdays

Rock musician Bob Seger is 80. Country musician Jimmie Dale Gilmore is 80. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is 72. TV host Tom Bergeron is 70. Actor Roma Downey is 65. Actor-director George Clooney is 64. Hockey Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur is 53. Actor Adrianne Palicki is 42. Actor Gabourey Sidibe is 42. Actor-comedian Sasheer Zamata is 39. Rapper Meek Mill is 38. Actor-singer Naomi Scott is 32.