Today in 1956, the first lobotomy was performed at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Today in 1964, Walt Disney was awarded the Medal of Freedom at the White House.
Today in 1981, "Entertainment Tonight," TV's first same-day satellite delivered syndicated show, debuted.
Today in 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco (former American movie star Grace Kelly) died at the age of 52 of injuries she suffered after her car ran off an embankment near Laturbe, France the day before. Her daughter, 17-year-old Stephanie, a passenger in the car, suffered bruises and trauma. Princess Grace, a former movie star, had been married to Prince Ranier III of Monaco since 1956. She was the first movie actress to be pictured on a postage stamp.
Today in 1984, the first "MTV Video Music Awards," co-hosted by Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler, were presented at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Cars won Best Video honors for "You Might Think," while Michael Jackson won Best Overall Performance and Best Choreography for his "Thriller" video.
Today in 1996, Todd Hundley of the New York Mets set a major league record for catchers with his 41st home run of the season, a three-run shot in the seventh inning of a 6-5 12-inning win over Atlanta. Hundley broke Roy Campanella's record of 40, set in 1953 for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Today in 1998, President Clinton, struggling to regain his footing from the Monica Lewinsky scandal, pledged during a speech in New York, to work with America's allies to deal with the "biggest financial challenge facing the world in a half-century."
Today in 2001, Nintendo released the GameCube home video game console in Japan.
Today in 2009, Sir David Attenborough and Prince William officially opened the Darwin Centre at the National History Museum London, in what was the Museum's most significant expansion since 1881.
Today in 2017, actress/singer Selena Gomez revealed she had a kidney transplant, because of lupus – and that it was donated by her friend Francia Rais.
Today in 2018, former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort plead guilty to conspiracy charges and agrees to cooperative with Government investigations.
Today in 2020, astronomers report possible sign of life on Venus, after detecting phosphine in the planet's atmosphere by telescope.
Today in 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom defeated a state vote to recall him from office.