Muhammad Ali (right) wins his third heavyweight crown by defeating Leon Spinks.
On September 15, 1978, boxer Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks
at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans to win the world heavyweight boxing title for the third time in his career, the first
fighter ever to do so. Following his victory, Ali retired from boxing,
only to make a brief comeback two years later. Ali, who once
claimed he could “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” left the s
port permanently in 1981.
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)
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.
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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. .
