1857

The S.S. Central America (also known as the “Ship of Gold”) sank off the coast of South Carolina after sailing into a hurricane in one of the worst maritime disasters in American history; 425 people were killed and thousands of pounds of gold sank with the ship to the bottom of the ocean.

1940

The Lascaux cave paintings, estimated to be 17,000 years old, were discovered in southwestern France.

1959

The Soviet Union launched its Luna 2 space probe, which made a crash landing on the moon.

1977

South African Black student leader and anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, 30, died while in police custody, triggering an international outcry.

2013

Voyager 1, launched 36 years earlier, became the first man-made spacecraft ever to leave the solar system.

Birthdays

Actor Linda Gray is 84. Singer Maria Muldaur is 82. Author Michael Ondaatje is 81. Actor Joe Pantoliano is 73. Actor Rachel Ward is 67. TV host-commentator Greg Gutfeld is 60. Actor-comedian Louis C.K. is 57. Golfer Angel Cabrera is 55. Country singer Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland) is 50. Rapper 2 Chainz is 47. Singer Ruben Studdard is 46. Basketball Hall of Famer Yao Ming is 44. Singer-actor Jennifer Hudson is 43.