Associated Press
On Sept. 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered in ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri, ending World War II.
1666- The Great Fire of London broke out. It destroyed nearly 400 acres, including some 13,000 houses and the old St. Paul’s Cathedral.
1789- The U.S. Treasury Department was established.
1864- Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s forces occupied Atlanta during the Civil War.
1901- Vice President Theodore Roosevelt offered the advice, “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair.
1935- A hurricane slammed into the Florida Keys, claiming 423 lives.
1944- Navy pilot George H.W. Bush was shot down by Japanese forces as he completed a bombing run over the Bonin Islands.
1945- Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam an independent republic.
1963- “The CBS Evening News” was lengthened from 15 to 30 minutes.
1969- North Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh died.
1969- The first automatic teller machine to use magnetic-striped cards opened to the public at Chemical Bank in Rockville Centre, New York.
1983- Tom Brokaw took over as anchor of NBC’s “Nightly News.”
2004- President George W. Bush accepted his party’s nomination for a second term at the Republican National Convention in New York City.
2005- President George W. Bush told Michael Brown, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “Brownie, you’re doing a heck of a job” during a tour of Hurricane Katrina damage in Alabama.
Today’s Birthdays:
Actress Salma Hayek turns 49 years old today.
Alan K. Simpson, Former U.S. senator, R-Wyo., 84
Peter Ueberroth, Former baseball commissioner, 78
John Thompson, Hall of Fame basketball coach, 74
Nate Archibald, Basketball Hall of Famer, 67
Terry Bradshaw, Football Hall of Famer, sportscaster, 67
Jim DeMint, Former U.S. senator, R-S.C., 64
Mark Harmon, Actor (“NCIS,” “St. Elsewhere”), 64
Jimmy Connors, Tennis Hall of Famer, 63
Eric Dickerson, Football Hall of Famer, 55
Cynthia Watros, Actress, 47
Spencer Smith, Rock musician (Panic at the Disco), 28
Actor Keanu Reeves turns 51 years old today.