This day in history

[August 29, 2011]  (AP)  Today is Monday, Aug. 29, the 241st day of 2011. There are 124 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast near Buras, La., bringing floods that devastated New Orleans. More than 1,800 people in the region died.

On this date:

In 1533, the last Incan King of Peru, Atahualpa (ah-tuh-WAHL'-puh), was executed on orders of Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro.

In 1877, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Brigham Young, died in Salt Lake City, Utah, at age 76.

In 1910, Korean Emperor Sunjong abdicated as the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty went into effect.

In 1943, responding to a clampdown by Nazi occupiers, Denmark managed to scuttle most of its naval ships.

In 1944, 15,000 American troops marched down the Champs Elysees (shahms ay-lee-ZAY') in Paris as the French capital continued to celebrate its liberation from the Nazis.

In 1957, the Senate gave final congressional approval to a Civil Rights Act after South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond (then a Democrat) ended a filibuster that had lasted 24 hours.

In 1958, pop superstar Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Ind.

In 1966, the Beatles concluded their fourth American tour with their last public concert, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

In 1975, Irish statesman Eamon de Valera (AY'-muhn dehv-uh-LEHR'-uh) died near Dublin at age 92.

In 1981, broadcaster and world traveler Lowell Thomas died in Pawling, N.Y., at age 89.

Ten years ago: George Rivas, ringleader of the Texas 7 prison breakout, was sentenced to death for killing an Irving policeman, Aubrey Hawkins, while on the run. (The state of Texas has yet to set an execution date for Rivas, whose case is under appeal.)

Five years ago: President George W. Bush visited New Orleans one year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region to offer comfort and hope to residents. Tropical Storm Ernesto's leading edge drenched Miami and the rest of southern Florida.

One year ago: Five years after Hurricane Katrina's wrath, President Barack Obama sought to reassure disaster-weary Gulf Coast residents during a speech at Xavier University that he would not abandon their cause. "Mad Men" received its third consecutive Emmy Award for best drama series; "Modern Family" won for best comedy series. The United States' five-year reign as Little League World Series champions ended as Tokyo defeated Waipahu, Hawaii, 4-1. Brian McCann hit a game-winning homer with help from video replay, giving the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Florida Marlins; it was the first time a game ended using a video review.

Today's birthdays: Actor-director Lord Richard Attenborough is 88. Movie director William Friedkin is 76. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is 75. Actor Elliott Gould is 73. Movie director Joel Schumacher is 72. TV personality Robin Leach is 70. Actor G.W. Bailey is 67. Actor Ray Wise is 64. Actress Deborah Van Valkenburgh is 59. Dancer-choreographer Mark Morris is 55. Country musician Dan Truman (Diamond Rio) is 55. Actress Rebecca DeMornay is 52. Singer Me'Shell NdegeOcello (n-DAY'-gay-OH'-chehl-oh) is 42. Rhythm-and-blues singer Carl Martin (Shai) is 41. Actress Carla Gugino is 40. Rock musician Kyle Cook (Matchbox Twenty) is 36. Actor John Hensley is 34. Rock musician David Desrosiers (Simple Plan) is 31. Rapper A+ is 29. Actress Jennifer Landon is 28. Actor Jeffrey Licon is 26. Actress-singer Lea Michele (TV: "Glee") is 25.

Thought for today: "The man who can speak acceptably is usually given credit for an ability out of all proportion to what he really possesses." -- Lowell Thomas (1892-1981)

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.