The way it was: Today in history

Throwback Thursday: A look back at events on September 15, including the Birmingham church bombing and Marilyn Monroe filming “The Seven Year Itch.”

Marilyn Monroe poses over the updraft of a New York subway grating while in character for the filming of “The Seven Year Itch” in Manhattan on September 15, 1954.

The former Norma Jean Baker modeled and starred in 28 movies grossing $200 million. Sensual and seductive, but with an air of innocence, Monroe became one of the world’s most adored sex symbols. She died alone by suicide, at age 36 in her Hollywood bungalow.

By CBSNews.com Senior Photo Editor Radhika Chalasani

Birmingham church bombing

On September 15, 1963, a bomb exploded just before Sunday morning services at the predominantly black 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. (L-R) Denise McNair, 11, Carole Robertson, 14, Addie Mae Collins, 14, and Cynthia Wesley, 14, were killed and many others injured.

A former Ku Klux Klansman, Thomas Blanton Jr., 62, was convicted of murder Tuesday, May 1, 2001, for the bombing that killed the four girls. Klan member Bobby Frank Cherry was convicted in 2002. Klan leader Robert E. Chambliss was convicted of murder in the 1970s, dying in prison in 1985. A fourth suspect, Herman Frank Cash, died in 1994 before he could be brought to trial.

Birmingham church bombing

Firemen and ambulance attendants remove a covered body from Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, where an explosion ripped the structure during services, killing four black girls in the basement in this September 15,1963.

The city was roiled in civil rights politics during the 1960s. The church had served as a meeting place for civil rights leaders and many marches began there. Governor George Wallace opposed desegregation and Birmingham had a strong, active chapter of the KKK. The bombing set off protests and unrest, leading to the calling in of the National Guard.

Sandy Koufax

Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax shows off one of the balls he threw in Los Angeles on September 15, 1961, after breaking the National League season strikeout record for left handers, set by Rube Marquard in 1911.

Koufax struck out 10 Milwaukee Braves to run his season total to 243, six better than the record of the old New York Giant. The Dodgers won the game 11-2.

Coach Knute Rockne

Coach Knute Rockne, putting his football proteges through the first football drill of the season at Cartier Field, South Bend, Indiana, September 15, 1930.

Coors III Remains Found In Dump

District Attorney Leo Rector of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Sheriff John Hammond, look at a dump area in south of Denver where clothing and bones identified as belonging to Adolph Coors III, the grandson of Adolph Coors and heir to the Coors beer empire, were found, September 15, 1960.

Coors had been missing since February 9, feared kidnapped and killed. His cotton clothing was turned up first and later a skull identified by dental experts as his. Joe Corbett was convicted in 1961 for the kidnapping and murder.

Raid on Black Panthers headquarters

New Orleans police officers try to keep their heads down as they move in on a Black Panther headquarters during an exchange of gunfire in New Orleans on September 15, 1970. The shootout occurred as police moved in to make arrests and evict the group following a series of incidents.

The Panthers surrendered after a 20-minute gun battle. One bystander was killed.

Jackson 5

The Jackson 5 perform during the “Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” in Los Angeles, September 15, 1972. The brothers, (L-R) Tito; Marlon; lead singer Michael; the youngest, Jackie and Jermaine.

Sandra Day O’Connor

Supreme Court nominee Sandra Day O’Connor ducks under a potted plant in the lobby of a Washington apartment building September 15, 1981 on her way to meet reporters to make a statement on the confirmation vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier that day, to recommend to the full Senate that she be named to the high court.

O’Connor was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, becoming the first woman on the Supreme Court.

New York’s Studio 54

This is the scene at the re-opening of New York’s Studio 54, September 15, 1981. The nightclub had been shutdown when the owners, Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, were convicted of tax evasion.

Princess Grace of Monaco

Princess Grace of Monaco lies in her coffin inside the Palatina Chapel of the Monaco Palace, September 15, 1982. The princess September 14, from injuries suffered in an automobile crash on the Riviera.

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams, Miss New York, walks down the runway of The Miss America Pageant during her evening gown competition, September 15, 1983 in Atlantic City.

Williams became the first African-American Miss America. She resigned in July 1984 because Penthouse magazine was planning to publish unauthorized nude photos of her.

Bork confirmation hearing

Former President Gerald Ford, left, introduces Supreme Court Associate Justice nominee Robert Bork, Tuesday, September 15, 1987, as the Senate Judiciary Committee began confirmation hearings on the nomination on Capitol Hill. Ford praised Bork as being “uniquely qualified” for the post. At right is Sen. Robert Dole, R-KS, who also made a statement on Bork.