September 5 was the day in history when...
1987: John McEnroe was fined $17,500 for tirades at U.S. Tennis Open. During the 1986 season, McEnroe took a break from tennis due to the pressures of being at the top. After six months he returned and won three ATP tournaments. At the U.S. Open in early 1987, McEnroe failed to win a title for the first time in his professional career. True to form and famous for his temper, McEnroe was suspended for two months and fined $17,500 for inappropriate conduct and verbally abusive language.
1975: Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford. Fromme was a follower of Charles Manson. She approached Ford at Sacramento's Capitol Park, allegedly planning to talk with him about the California Redwoods. Wearing a red robe, Fromme pointed a .45 Colt semiautomatic pistol at President Ford, but was restrained before ever firing a shot. The gun was later found to contain four rounds, but none were in the firing chamber.
1972: Eleven Israeli athletes were slain at Munich Olympics by terrorists. Prior to the start of the games, Israel had voiced concerns about security at the Olympic village. At 4:30 a.m. eight masked gunmen scaled a fence and infiltrated the building which housed the Israeli team. The terrorists broke into the apartments as the athletes slept. Several were able to escape in the early minutes of the siege but eleven were taken hostage. Two wrestlers were shot while trying to defend themselves, but their sacrifice allowed others to escape. The hostages were bound at the wrists and ankles and lined up on two beds. The body of one of their slain team mates lay at their feet as a warning. The terrorists, members of the group Black September, demanded the release of over 200 prisoners being held in Israel. Negotiators convinced the terrorists to move their hostages to an airport on the promise of safe passage to Egypt. The deal was in fact a trap set up to attempt a rescue. Upon landing in helicopters at the airport where they were to transfer to a waiting plane, the assailants realized they had been tricked. A gun battle ensued which left all eleven hostages and one kidnapper dead. The other three were arrested. West German officials were later criticized for the poorly planned and executed rescue attempt.
Famous Birthdays:
1973: Rose McGowan- actress
1969: Dweezil Zappa- rocker, son of Frank Zappa
1946: Freddie Mercury- vocals for group Queen
1940: Raquel Welch- actress
1929: Bob Newhart- comedian/actor
Notable People Lost:
1999: Allen Funt- Candid Camera host
1997: Mother Teresa- philanthropist
1898: Sarah Emma Evelyn Edmonds- disguised as man fought for Union in the Civil War
Odd Holidays (There's Always Something to Celebrate!):
Be Late For Something Day
Marvel Superheroes Birthday
National Shrink Day
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