Today in History: August 29, Hurricane Katrina strikes Louisiana

Today is Saturday, Aug. 29, the 241st day of 2026. There are 124 days left in the year.Today in history:On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in southeast Louisiana, breaching levees and spurring floods that devastated New Orleans. Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damage.Also on this date:In 1814, during the War of 1812, Alexandria, Virginia, formally surrendered to British military forces, which occupied the city until Sept. 3.In 1825, the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro was signed by Portugal and Brazil, officially ending the Brazilian War of Independence.In 1862, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began operations at the United States Treasury.In 1944, 15,000 American troops of the 28th Infantry Division marched down the Champs-Élys