Today in History for August 7th

TodayInHistoryToday in History for August 7thToday in History for August 7thThe Associated PressHighlights of this day in history: U.S. embassies bombed in E. Africa; Congress OKs powers to expand the Vietnam War; Comedy icon Oliver Hardy and news anchor Peter Jennings die; Barry Bonds hits 756th homerun. (Aug. 7)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] August 7th, 1998: (AP Archive Video) Bombs explode minutes apart outside the U.S. Embassies in the East African countries of Kenya and Tanzania. The blasts kill more than 200 people --- including a dozen Americans --- and injure thousands of others.Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network is blamed for the bombings, three years before the September 11th attacks. 1964: (AP Archive Video / AP Photos) In Washington, a fateful moment during the Vietnam War, as Congress passes the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. The overwhelming vote gives President Lyndon Johnson broad powers to escalate America's involvement in the war. 1942: (AP Photos) During World War Two, U.S. and Allied forces land at Guadalcanal. That marks the start of the Allies' first major offensive against the Japanese in the Pacific. Months later, the remaining Japanese troops evacuate the island. 1947: (AP Photos) Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl (HAY-er-dahl) and his team successfully cross the Pacific Ocean ... in the balsa wood raft Kon-Tiki. Their journey is an attempt to prove Heyerdahl's theory that ancient mariners from South America could have settled in the South Pacific. 1957: (AP Photos) (SOT of Hardy) Oliver Hardy --- half of the Laurel and Hardy comedy team --- dies in North Hollywood, California. He was 65. 2005: (AP Photos) (SOT of Jennings) In New York, ABC News Anchor Peter Jennings dies after a battle with lung cancer. He was 67. And, 2007. Barry Bonds hits his 756th home run, topping Hank Aaron's long-standing record.Bond's accomplishment however is shrouded in controversy over his alleged use of steroids. Today in History, August 7th --- ___ ___, The Associated Press. (****END****) ANCHOR VOICE:-------------------------Sandy KozelVIDEO PRODUCER:------------------------------Ray BassettVIDEO SOURCE:--------------------------VariousVIDEO APPROVAL:------------------------------Nick MooreVIDEO RESTRICTIONS:----------------------------------NoneSCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE:

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