On this day in 1965, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his order to increase the number of United States troops in South Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000.
On this day in 1976, the Tangshan earthquake measuring between 7.8 and 8.2 magnitude flattened Tangshan, China. It killed more than 240,000 and injured about 160,000.
On this day in 2001, Australian Ian Thorpe became the first swimmer to win six gold medals at a single World Championship.