1916

The Battle of Verdun, the longest battle of World War I, began in northeastern France.

1965

Civil rights activist Malcolm X, 39, was shot to death inside Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom in New York. Three men identified as members of the Nation of Islam were convicted of murder and imprisoned; all were eventually paroled.

1972

President Richard M. Nixon began a historic visit to China, where he met with Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

1973

Israeli fighter planes shot down Libyan Airlines Flight 114 over the Sinai Desert, killing 108 people on board.

– from wire reports