It was promoted as the “Match of the Century,” when American chess
grandmaster Bobby Fischer (right) defeated Russian Boris Spassky
(left) during the World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland.

In the world’s most publicized title match ever played, Fischer, a 29-
year-old Brooklynite, became the first American to win the competition
since its inception in 1866. The victory also marked the first time a non-
Russian had won the event in 24 years.

Robert James Fischer (March 9, 1943 – January 17, 2008)

After the 1972 World Chess Championship, Fischer did not play a
competitive game in public for nearly 20 years. In 1977 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he played three games against the MIT Greenblatt
computer program, winning them all. On January 17, 2008, Fischer
died at age 64 from renal failure at National Hospital in Iceland.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

World War II began when Germany invaded Poland on this day in 1939.

Hitler salutes as he oversees troops during the Nazi occupation of Poland.

It was on this day in 2004.

Russian President Vladimir Putin seen during his
televised address to the nation.

.

It was on this day in 1983.

President Ronald Reagan condemning the Soviet attack on a Korean airliner.

On this day in 1972, America’s Bobby Fischer (right) beats Russia’s
Boris Spassky (left) to become world chess champion. The chess
match took place in Reykjavik, Iceland.

This undated photo provided by Heritage Auctions shows the chess board used by American Bobby Fischer and Soviet champ Boris
Spassky during their historic 1972 “Match of the Century.”

Gloria Estefan (Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo) is 61 years young
today.

Latin pop singer Gloria Estefan has sold more than one hundred million
records over the course of her career. She has released many #1 hits,
including "Don’t Wanna Lose You." Gloria once worked with the Miami
International Airport Customs Department while in college and was
approached by the CIA because of her prowess with language. She
has won seven Grammy Awards, including one for Best Tropical Latin
Album in 1993 for Mi Tierra.

Lee Petty #42 and Johnny Beauchamp #73 battle on the last lap
of the first Daytona 500.

Lee Arnold Petty  (March 14, 1914 – April 5, 2000)

Lee Petty’s 1959 Daytona 500 photo finish winning Oldsmobile.

The 1959 First Annual 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at
Daytona (now known as the 1959 Inaugural Daytona 500) was the second
race of the 1959 NASCAR Grand National (now Monster Energy NASCAR
Cup Series) season. It was held on February 22, 1959, in front of 41,921
spectators. It was the first race held at the 2.5-mile (4.0 kilometer) Daytona
International Speedway. The Daytona 500 is regarded as the most important
and prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar. It is also the series’ first race
of the year. With the help of photographs and newsreel footage, Lee Petty,
the father of Richard Petty, was officially declared the winner by NASCAR
founder Bill France, Sr. .

TIM MAGUIRE

Cassius Clay (standing) won the match in 1964.

George Harrison ( February 25, 1943 – November 29, 2001)

Connie Francis (Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero)

Singer Connie Francis released the 1958 hit "Who’s Sorry Now?" and 
also appeared in many movies, including Looking for Love (1964). She
was one of the highest charting female solo singers in the 1950s and
1960s. She almost accepted a scholarship to New York University, but
pursued music full-time instead.