Today's Highlights in History See a larger version of this front page. The World War II Battle of Cape Esperance began in the Solomon Islands, resulting in an American victory over the Japanese. 1984 Space shuttle Challenger astronaut Kathy Sullivan became the first American woman to walk in space. President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev opened two days of talks concerning arms control and human rights in Reykjavik, Iceland. Current Birthdays Patty Murray turns 51 years old today.
American choreographer Go to a previous date.