Today In History #01

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - June 26, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Friday, June 26, the 177th day of 2009. There are 188 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin, where he expressed solidarity with the city's residents by declaring: "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner).

On this date:

In 1870, the first section of Atlantic City, N.J.'s Boardwalk was opened to the public.

In 1919, the New York Daily News was first published.

In 1945, the charter of the United Nations was signed by 50 countries in San Francisco.

In 1948, the Berlin Airlift began in earnest after the Soviet Union cut off land and water routes to the isolated western sector of Berlin.

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman authorized the Air Force and Navy to enter the Korean conflict.

In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower joined Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in ceremonies officially opening the St. Lawrence Seaway. Swedish boxer Ingemar Johansson knocked out Floyd Patterson in the third round of their match at New York's Yankee Stadium to win the heavyweight title.

In 1973, former White House counsel John W. Dean told the Senate Watergate Committee about an "enemies list" kept by the Nixon White House.

In 1977, 42 people were killed when a fire sent toxic smoke pouring through the Maury County Jail in Columbia, Tenn.

In 1988, three people were killed when a new Airbus A320 jetliner carrying more than 130 people crashed into a forest during an air show demonstration flight in Mulhouse (muh-LOOZ'), France.

In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty may be imposed for murderers who committed their crimes as young as age 16, and for mentally retarded killers as well.

Ten years ago: An advance contingent of Russian troops flew into Kosovo to help reopen a strategic airport and join an uneasy alliance with NATO peacekeepers.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush won support from the 25-nation European Union for an initial agreement to help train Iraq's armed forces. A memorial service was held in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., for Paul M. Johnson Jr., an engineer slain by kidnappers in Saudi Arabia.

One year ago: The Supreme Court struck down a handgun ban in the District of Columbia as it affirmed, 5-4, that an individual right to gun ownership existed. Juan Alvarez, who triggered a 2005 rail disaster in Glendale, Calif., by parking a sport-utility vehicle on the tracks, was convicted of 11 counts of first-degree murder. (Alvarez was later sentenced to 11 consecutive life terms.)

Today's Birthdays: Actress Eleanor Parker is 87. Jazz musician-film composer Dave Grusin is 75. Actor Josef Sommer is 75. Singer Billy Davis Jr. (The 5th Dimension) is 69. Rock singer Georgie Fame (born Clive Powell) is 66. Actor Clive Francis is 63. Rhythm & blues singer Brenda Holloway is 63. Actor Michael Paul Chan is 59. Actor Robert Davi is 56. Singer/Guitarist Mick Jones (The Clash) is 54. Actor Gedde Watanabe (GEH'-dee wah-tah-NAH'-bee) is 54. Rock Singer/Guitarist Chris Isaak is 53. Rock singer Patty Smyth is 52. Singer Terri Nunn (Berlin) is 48. Rock singer Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays) is 46. Rock Bassist Colin Greenwood (Radiohead) is 40. Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson is 39. Actor Sean Hayes is 39. Actor Matt Letscher is 39. Actor Chris O'Donnell is 39. Actress Rebecca Budig is 36. Baseball player Derek Jeter is 35. Country singer Gretchen Wilson is 35. Football player Chad Clifton is 33. Rock musician Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon) is 30. Pop-rock singer-musician Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) is 30. Actor-musician Jason Schwartzman is 29. Basketball player Deron Williams is 25. Actress Kaitlin Cullum is 23. Actress-singer Jennette McCurdy is 17.

Thought for Today: "When I was a young man I vowed never to marry until I found the ideal woman. Well, I found her -- but, alas, she was waiting for the perfect man." -- Robert Schuman, French statesman (1886-1963).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - June 27, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Saturday, June 27, the 178th day of 2009. There are 187 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On June 27, 1844, Mormon leader Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were killed by a mob in Carthage, Ill.

On this date:

In 1846, New York and Boston were linked by telegraph wires.

In 1893, the New York stock market crashed.

In 1944, during World War II, American forces completed their capture of the French port of Cherbourg from the Germans.

In 1950, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling on member nations to help South Korea repel an invasion from the North.

In 1957, more than 500 people were killed when Hurricane Audrey slammed through coastal Louisiana and Texas.

In 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village; patrons fought back in clashes considered the birth of the gay rights movement.

In 1977, the Supreme Court, in Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, struck down state laws and bar association rules that prohibited lawyers from advertising their fees for routine services. The Republic of Djibouti became independent of France.

In 1984, the Supreme Court ended the National Collegiate Athletic Association's monopoly on controlling college football telecasts, ruling such control violated antitrust law.

In 1986, the International Court of Justice at The Hague ruled that the United States had broken international law and violated the sovereignty of Nicaragua by aiding the contras.

In 1988, 57 people were killed in a train collision in Paris.

Ten years ago: George Papadopoulos, the head of Greece's 1967 to 1974 military dictatorship, died of cancer in Athens at age 80. Juli Inkster shot a 6-under 65 to win the LPGA Championship, becoming the second woman to win the modern career Grand Slam (the first was Pat Bradley). The Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 in the final game at the Kingdome.

Five years ago: NATO leaders gathered in Turkey closed ranks on a pledge to take a bigger military role in Iraq; President George W. Bush declared that the alliance was poised to "meet the threats of the 21st century." Insurgents threatened to behead Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun (wah-SEF' ah-LEE' hah-SOON'), a U.S. Marine who'd vanished in Iraq, in a videotape that aired on Arab television. (However, Hassoun contacted American officials in his native Lebanon the following month; after being reunited with his family in Utah, Hassoun disappeared in December 2004.)

One year ago: North Korea destroyed the most visible symbol of its nuclear weapons program, the cooling tower at its main atomic reactor at Yongbyon. (However, North Korea announced in September 2008 that it was restoring its nuclear facilities.) In Zimbabwe, roaming bands of government supporters heckled, harassed or threatened people into voting in a runoff election in which President Robert Mugabe was the only candidate.

Today's Birthdays: Business executive Ross Perot is 79. The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Army General John Shalikashvili, is 73. Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt is 71. Singer/Guitarist/Keyboardist (The Beach Boys) is 67. Actress Julia Duffy is 58. Actress Isabelle Adjani is 54. Country singer Lorrie Morgan is 50. Actor Brian Drillinger is 49. Writer-producer-director J.J. Abrams is 43. Olympic gold and bronze medal figure skater Viktor Petrenko is 40. TV personality Jo Frost (TV: "Supernanny") is 39. Actor Yancey Arias is 38. Actor Christian Kane is 35. Actor Tobey Maguire is 34. Gospel singer Leigh Nash is 33. Actor Drake Bell is 23. Actor Ed Westwick is 22. Actress Madylin Sweeten is 18.

Thought for Today: "A man, after he has brushed off the dust and chips of his life, will have left only the hard, clean question: Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well - or ill?" - John Steinbeck, American author (1902-1968).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - June 28, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Sunday, June 28, the 179th day of 2009. There are 186 days left in the year.

Today's Highlights in History:

On June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles (vehr-SY') was signed in France, ending the First World War. In Independence, Mo., future president Harry S. Truman married Elizabeth Virginia Wallace.

On this date:

In 1491, England's King Henry VIII was born at Greenwich.

In 1778, the Revolutionary War Battle of Monmouth took place in New Jersey; it was from this battle that the legend of "Molly Pitcher" arose.

In 1836, the fourth president of the United States, James Madison, died in Montpelier, Va.

In 1838, Britain's Queen Victoria was crowned in Westminster Abbey.

In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo (sah-ruh-YAY'-voh) by a Serb nationalist - the event which sparked World War I.

In 1928, New York Governor Alfred E. Smith was nominated for president at the Democratic national convention in Houston.

In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the National Housing Act, which established the Federal Housing Administration.

In 1939, Pan American Airways began regular trans-Atlantic air service with a flight that departed New York for Marseilles, France.

In 1950, North Korean forces captured Seoul (sohl), the capital of South Korea.

In 1978, the Supreme Court ordered the University of California-Davis Medical School to admit Allan Bakke (BAHK'-ee), a white man who argued he'd been a victim of reverse racial discrimination.

Ten years ago: Announcing even bigger projected budget surpluses, President Bill Clinton said the government could drastically reduce the national debt while still buttressing Social Security and Medicare.

Five years ago: The U.S.-led coalition transferred sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government two days ahead of schedule. The Supreme Court ruled that the war on terrorism did not give the government a "blank check" to hold a U.S. citizen and foreign-born terror suspects in legal limbo. The United States resumed direct diplomatic ties with Libya after a 24-year break.

One year ago: Presidential rivals John McCain and Barack Obama vied for the support of Hispanics in separate appearances before the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials conference in Washington, with each vowing to remake immigration policy. Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo combined to no-hit the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Angels won 1-0. (The Angels became the fifth team in modern major-league history to win a game in which they didn't get a hit.)

Today's Birthdays: Blues Singer/Guitarist David "Honeyboy" Edwards is 94. Comedian-movie director Mel Brooks is 83. Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) is 75. Comedian-impressionist John Byner is 72. CIA Director Leon Panetta is 71. Rock Bassist Dave Knights (formerly of Procol Harum) is 64. Actor Bruce Davison is 63. Actress Kathy Bates is 61. Actress Alice Krige is 55. Football Hall of Famer John Elway is 49. Record company chief executive Tony Mercedes is 47. Actress Jessica Hecht is 44. Rock musician Saul Davies (James) is 44. Actress Mary Stuart Masterson is 43. Actor John Cusack is 43. Actor Gil Bellows is 42. Actress-singer Danielle Brisebois is 40. Jazz musician Jimmy Sommers is 40. Actress Tichina Arnold is 38. Actor Alessandro Nivola (nih-VOH'-luh) is 37. Actress Camille Guaty is 33. Rock Bassist Tim Nordwind (OK Go) is 33. Rock Singer/Basssist Mark Stoermer (The Killers) is 32. Country singer Kellie Pickler is 23.

Thought for Today: "Heresy is what the minority believe; it is the name given by the powerful to the doctrines of the weak." -- Robert G. Ingersoll, American lawyer and statesman (1833-1899).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - June 29, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Monday, June 29, the 180th day of 2009. There are 185 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On June 29, 1776, the Virginia state constitution was adopted, and Patrick Henry was made governor.

On this date:

In 1767, the British Parliament approved the Townshend Acts, which imposed import duties on certain goods shipped to America. (Colonists bitterly protested, prompting Parliament in 1770 to repeal the duties on all goods -- except tea.)

In 1946, authorities in British-ruled Palestine arrested more than 2,700 Jews in an attempt to stamp out extremists.

In 1954, the Atomic Energy Commission voted against reinstating Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer's access to classified information.

In 1959, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously struck down a New York State obscenity ban on exhibiting a French movie version of the D.H. Lawrence novel "Lady Chatterley's Lover."

In 1966, the United States bombed fuel storage facilities near the North Vietnamese cities of Hanoi and Haiphong (HY'-fahng).

In 1967, Jerusalem was re-unified as Israel removed barricades separating the Old City from the Israeli sector.

In 1970, the United States ended a two-month military offensive into Cambodia.

In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty as it was being meted out could constitute "cruel and unusual punishment." (The ruling prompted states to revise their capital punishment laws.)

In 1988, the Supreme Court upheld the independent counsel law.

In 2003, actress Katharine Hepburn died in Old Saybrook, Conn., at age 96.

Ten years ago: Urging the biggest expansion in Medicare's history, President Bill Clinton proposed that the government help older Americans pay for prescription drugs. Some 10,000 demonstrators rallied in central Serbia, demanding the resignation of President Slobodan Milosevic (sloh-BOH'-dahn mee-LOH'-shuh-vich). Abdullah Ocalan (ab-D00L'-uh OH'-juh-lahn), leader of Turkey's rebel Kurds, was convicted of treason and sentenced to death. (The sentence was later commuted to life in prison.)

Five years ago: A United Nations helicopter crashed in Sierra Leone, killing all 24 peacekeepers, aid workers and others on board. The Supreme Court blocked a law meant to shield Web-surfing children from online pornography. Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks became the fourth pitcher to record 4,000 career strikeouts (however, his team lost to the San Diego Padres, 3-2).

One year ago: Zimbabwe's longtime ruler Robert Mugabe was sworn in as president for a sixth term after a widely discredited runoff in which he was the only candidate. Two weeks away from her 20th birthday, Inbee Park became the youngest winner of the U.S. Women's Open by closing with a 2-under 71 at Interlachen in Edina, Minn. Spain won the European Championship 1-0 over Germany for its first major title in 44 years.

Today's Birthdays: Movie producer Robert Evans is 79. Songwriter L. Russell Brown is 69. Actor Gary Busey is 65. Comedian Richard Lewis is 62. Actor-turned-politican-turned-radio personality Fred Grandy ('Gopher' of TV's "The Love Boat") is 61. Rock Drummer Ian Paice (Deep Purple) is 61. Rock Singer/Guitarist Don Dokken (Dokken) is 56. Rock Singer Colin Hay (Men At Work) is 56. Actress Maria Conchita Alonso is 52. Actress Sharon Lawrence is 48. Actress Amanda Donohoe is 47. Rhythm & blues singer Stedman Pearson (Five Star) is 45. Actress Kathleen Wilhoite is 45. Musician Dale Baker is 43. Actress Melora Hardin is 42. Rap DJ/Producer/Songwriter "DJ Shadow" (born Joshua Davis) is 37. Country Singer/Songwriter musician Todd Sansom (former country boyband Marshall Dyllon) is 31. Singer/Dancer/Actress/Model Nicole Scherzinger (lead singer of The Pussy Cat Dolls) is 31.

Thought for Today: "These are times in which a Genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed.... Great necessities call out great virtues." -- Abigail Adams, American first lady (1744-1818).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today in History
Associated Press - June 30, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Tuesday, June 30, the 181st day of 2009. There are 184 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On June 30, 1859, French acrobat Charles Blondin (blahn-DAN') (born Jean Francois Gravelet) walked back and forth on a tightrope above the gorge of Niagara Falls as thousands of spectators watched.

On this date:

In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.

In 1908, the Tunguska Event took place in Russia as an asteroid exploded above Siberia, leaving 800 square miles of scorched or blown-down trees.

In 1921, President Warren G. Harding nominated former President William Howard Taft to be chief justice of the United States, succeeding the late Edward Douglass White.

In 1934, Adolf Hitler carried out his "blood purge" of political and military rivals in Germany in what came to be known as "The Night of the Long Knives."

In 1936, the novel "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell was published in New York.

In 1958, the U.S. Senate passed the Alaska statehood bill by a vote of 64-20.

In 1963, Pope Paul VI was crowned the 262nd head of the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1971, a Soviet space mission ended in tragedy when three cosmonauts aboard Soyuz 11 were found dead inside their spacecraft after it had returned to Earth.

In 1984, John Turner was sworn in as Canada's 17th prime minister, succeeding Pierre Elliott Trudeau (troo-DOH').

In 1985, 39 American hostages from a hijacked TWA jetliner were freed in Beirut after being held 17 days.

Ten years ago: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in two years, boosting the target for the funds rate a quarter-point to five percent. On the day the independent counsel law expired, Kenneth Starr wrapped up the Whitewater phase of his investigation as presidential friend Webster Hubbell pleaded guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor.

Five years ago: A federal appeals court approved an antitrust settlement Microsoft had negotiated with the Justice Department. The Iraqi government took legal custody of Saddam Hussein and 11 of his top lieutenants, a first step toward the ousted dictator's expected trial for crimes against humanity. After nearly seven years of travel, the international Cassini spacecraft entered Saturn's orbit.
SIO Note: Take a look at their website.
Cassini Orbiter | Spacecraft – NASA Solar System Exploration

One year ago: President George W. Bush signed legislation to pay for the war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for the rest of his presidency and beyond, hailing the $162 billion plan as a rare product of bipartisan cooperation. The United States announced that it was charging Saudi Arabian Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri (ahbd al-ruh-HEEM' al-nuh-SHEE'-ree) with "organizing and directing" the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in waters off Yemen - and would seek the death penalty.

Today's Birthdays: Singer Lena Horne is 92. Actor Tony Musante is 73. Actress Nancy Dussault is 73. Singer Glenn Shorrock is 65. Jazz Bassist Stanley Clarke is 58. Actor David Garrison is 57. Rock Guitarist Hal Lindes (formerly of Dire Straits) is 56. Actor-comedian David Alan Grier is 53. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio is 50. Actress Deirdre Lovejoy is 47. Actor Rupert Graves is 46. Boxer Mike Tyson is 43. Rock Singer/Bassist Tom Drummond (Better Than Ezra) is 40. Actor Brian Bloom is 39. Actor Brian Vincent is 39. Actress Monica Potter is 38. Actor Rick Gonzalez is 30. Actress Lizzy Caplan is 27. Rhythm & blues singer Fantasia (born Fantasia Monique Barrino) ("American Idol" 3rd Seaon Winner) is 25. 14-time gold medal Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps is 24.

Thought for Today: "Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young." -- Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, English dramatist (1855-1934).

 

[superintelligentone]

Happy Canada Day!

On July 1, 1867, Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain and a federation of four provinces: Nova Scotia; New Brunswick; Ontario; and Quebec.

The anniversary of this date was called Dominion Day until 1982. With the 1982 passage of the Canada Act, its name was officially changed to Canada Day.

It is celebrated with New citizenship ceremonies, parades, picnics, flag display, the singing of the national anthem, "O Canada", and at night, public and home fireworks displays.

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 1, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Wednesday, July 1, the 182nd day of 2009. There are 183 days left in the year. This is Canada Day.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 1, 1867, Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain as the British North America Act took effect.

On this date:

In 1859, the first intercollegiate baseball game took place in Pittsfield, Mass., between teams from Williams College and Amherst College. (Amherst won the nearly four-hour, 26-inning contest by the score of 73-32.)

In 1863, the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, resulting in a Union victory, began in Pennsylvania.

In 1934, Hollywood began enforcing its Production Code subjecting motion pictures to censorship review.

In 1946, the United States exploded a 20-kiloton atomic bomb near Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.

In 1959, the controversial motion picture "Anatomy of a Murder," starring James Stewart, was released.

In 1968, the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union and nearly 60 other nations signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

In 1969, Britain's Prince Charles was formally invested as the Prince of Wales by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1980, "O Canada" was proclaimed the national anthem of Canada.

In 1984, the Motion Picture Association of America established the "PG-13" rating.

In 1997, Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule after 156 years as a British colony.

Ten years ago: Exactly six months before the year 2000, Congress passed legislation to shield businesses from a potential flood of Y2K computer-related lawsuits. A gondola in the French Alps ripped away from its cables, killing 20 people aboard. African nationalist Joshua Nkomo died in Harare, Zimbabwe, at age 82.

Five years ago: Legendary film and stage actor Marlon Brando died in Los Angeles at age 80. Saddam Hussein scoffed at charges of war crimes and mass killings, making a defiant first public appearance in an Iraqi court since being hunted down seven months earlier. Hundreds of thousands of people marched in Hong Kong to demand democratic rights from China. The Cassini spacecraft sent back photographs of Saturn's shimmering rings.

One year ago: Ex-convict Nicholas T. Sheley, suspected in eight grisly slayings in two states, was arrested outside a bar in Granite City, Ill. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle 18 more claims by people who said they'd been sexually abused by priests when they were children. Clay Felker, founding editor of New York magazine, died at age 82.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Olivia de Havilland is 93. Actor Farley Granger is 84. Actress-dancer Leslie Caron is 78. Actress Jean Marsh is 75. Actor Jamie Farr is 75. Bluesman James Cotton is 74. Actor David Prowse is 74. Cookiemaker Wally Amos (a.k.a. 'Famous Amos') is 73. Actress Karen Black is 70. Dancer-choreographer Twyla Tharp is 68. Actress Genevieve Bujold is 67. Gospel singer Andrae Crouch is 67. Rock singer-actress Deborah Harry is 64. Movie-TV producer-director Michael Pressman is 59. Actor Daryl Anderson is 58. Actor Trevor Eve is 58. Actor Terrence Mann is 58. Rock singer Fred Schneider (B-52's) is 58. Pop singer Victor Willis (the police officer in 'The Village People') is 58. Actor-comedian Dan Aykroyd is 57. Actor Alan Ruck is 53. Actress Lisa Blount is 52. Rhythm & blues singer Evelyn "Champagne" King is 49. Olympic gold medal track star Carl Lewis is 48. Country singer Michelle Wright is 48. Actor Andre Braugher is 47. Actress Pamela Anderson is 42. Rock musician Mark Pirro is 39. Rock musician Franny Griffiths (Space) is 39. Actor Henry Simmons is 39. Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott is 38. Actress Julianne Nicholson is 38. Actress Liv Tyler is 32. Bluegrass musician Adam Haynes (Dailey & Vincent) is 30. Actress Hilarie Burton is 27. Actress Lynsey Bartilson is 26. Actor Evan Ellingson is 21. Actors Andrew and Steven Cavarno are 17.

Thought for Today: "The more we learn the more we realize how little we know." -- R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 2, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Thursday, July 2, the 183rd day of 2009. There are 182 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution saying that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."

On this date:

In 1809, Shawnee leader Tecumseh began organizing an Indian Confederacy to resist the growing spread of white American settlers.

In 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Washington railroad station; Garfield died the following September. (Guiteau was hanged in June 1882.)

In 1926, the United States Army Air Corps was created.

In 1937, aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight along the equator.

In 1961, author Ernest Hemingway shot himself to death at his home in Ketchum, Idaho.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a sweeping civil rights bill passed by Congress.

In 1979, the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was released to the public.

In 1989, former Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko died in Moscow at age 79.

In 1994, a USAir DC-9 crashed in poor weather at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, killing 37 of the 57 people aboard.

In 1996, electricity and phone service was knocked out for millions of customers from Canada to the Southwest after power lines throughout the West failed on a record-hot day.

Ten years ago: Former Northwestern University basketball coach Ricky Byrdsong was shot to death in Skokie, Ill.; authorities believe he was the victim of a 3-day shooting rampage by white supremacist Benjamin Nathaniel Smith that targeted minorities in Illinois and Indiana. (One other person was killed and several wounded before Smith committed suicide.) "Godfather" author Mario Puzo died on Long Island, N.Y., at age 78.

Five years ago: Elijah Brown, 21, described by police as a disgruntled employee, went on a shooting rampage inside a meatpacking plant in Kansas City, Kan., killing 5 of his co-workers before taking his own life.

One year ago: Colombian military spies tricked leftist rebels into freeing 15 hostages: Ex-presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, three U.S. military contractors, and 11 Colombian policemen and soldiers. Police in Randolph, Vt., unearthed the body of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett from a makeshift grave, ending a weeklong search. (The girl's uncle, convicted sex offender Michael Jacques, has been charged in the killing.)

Today's Birthdays: Country singer Marvin Rainwater is 84. Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos is 80. Jazz musician Ahmad Jamal is 79. Actor Robert Ito is 78. Actress Polly Holliday is 72. Former White House chief of staff John H. Sununu is 70. Actor/Writer/Director/Comedian Larry David is 62. Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, is 62. Actor Saul Rubinek is 61. Rock Keyboardist Roy Bittan (Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band) is 60. Rock Pianist Gene Taylor is 57. Actress-model Jerry Hall is 53. Actor Jimmy McNichol is 48. Rock Bassist Dave Parsons (Bush, Transvision Vamp) is 44. Actress Yancy Butler is 39. Baseball player Sean Casey is 35. Contemporary Christian musician Melodee DeVevo (Casting Crowns) is 33. Race car driver Sam Hornish Jr. is 30. Singer Michelle Branch is 26. Actress Vanessa Lee Chester is 25. Figure skater Johnny Weir is 25. Actress-singer Ashley Tisdale is 24. Actress Lindsay Lohan is 23.

Thought for Today: "The instinctive feeling of a great people is often wiser than its wisest men." -- Louis Kossuth (kaw-SOOTH'), Hungarian statesman (1802-1894).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 3, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Friday, July 3, the 184th day of 2009. There are 181 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 3, 1863, the 3-day Civil War Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania ended in a major victory for the North as Confederate troops retreated.

On this date:

In 1608, the city of Quebec was founded by Samuel de Champlain.

In 1775, General George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Mass.

In 1890, Idaho became the 43rd state in the Union.

In 1898, the U.S. Navy defeated a Spanish fleet outside Santiago Bay in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

In 1944, during World War II, Soviet forces recaptured Minsk.

In 1962, Algeria became independent after 132 years of French rule.

In 1971, singer Jim Morrison of The Doors died in Paris at age 27.

In 1979, Dan White, convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting deaths of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone (mahs-KOH'-nee) and Supervisor Harvey Milk, was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison. (He ended up serving five years.)

In 1988, the USS Vincennes misidentified and shot down an Iran Air jetliner over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people aboard.

In 1989, a divided Supreme Court upheld abortion restrictions in the state of Missouri.

Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton, acting to head off potential problems with the safety of imported food, said in his weekly radio address he was ordering inspectors at American ports to brand all unsafe and rejected food products, "Refused U.S."

Five years ago: U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan won a promise from Sudan's government to send troops to stop militia violence in the Darfur region. Maria Sharapova won her first Grand Slam title by beating Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4 at Wimbledon. Former Soviet cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev died in Cheboksary, Chuvash Autonomous Republic, at age 74.

One year ago: The Pentagon announced it had extended the tour of 2,200 Marines in Afghanistan, after insisting for months the unit would come home on time. Venus and Serena Williams won in straight sets to set up their third all-sister Wimbledon final and seventh Grand Slam championship matchup. Larry Harmon, who turned Bozo the Clown into a show business staple, died in Los Angeles at age 83.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Tim O'Connor is 82. Movie director Ken Russell is 82. Jazz Clarinetist Pete Fountain (The Pete Fountain Quartett) is 79. Playwright Tom Stoppard is 72. Writer-producer Jay Tarses is 70. Singer Fontella Bass is 69. Actor Kurtwood Smith ('Red' in "That '70s Show") is 66. Actor Michael Cole ("The Mod Squad") is 64. Country singer Johnny Lee is 63. Writer Dave Barry is 62. Actress Betty Buckley is 62. Rock Singer/Guitarist Paul Barrere (bah-RAYR') (Little Feat) is 61. Actress Jan Smithers ('Bailey' in "WKRP In Cincinnati") is 60. Former Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier (doo-VAHL'-yay)(nicknamed "Baby Doc" to distinguish him from François "Papa Doc" Duvalier, his father and previous President) is 58. Talk show host Montel Williams is 53. Country singer Aaron Tippin is 51. Rock musician Vince Clarke (Erasure) is 49. Actor Tom Cruise is 47. Actor Thomas Gibson is 47. Actress Hunter Tylo is 47. Actress Connie Nielsen is 45. Actress Yeardley Smith (born Martha Maria Yeardley Smith)('Lisa' of "The Simpsons" cartoon) is 45. Singer Ishmael Butler is 40. Rock Keyboardist Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies) is 40. Actress-singer Audra McDonald is 39. Actor Patrick Wilson is 36. Country singer Trent Tomlinson is 34. Singer Shane Lynch (Boyzone) is 33. Rhythm & blues singer Tonia Tash (Divine) is 30. Country singer-songwriter Sarah Buxton is 29. Actor Grant Rosenmeyer is 18. Actress Kelsey Batelaan is 14.

Thought for Today: "A timid person is frightened before a danger; a coward during the time; and a courageous person afterward." -- Jean Paul Richter, German author (1763-1825).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 4, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Saturday, July 4, the 185th day of 2009. There are 180 days left in the year. This is Independence Day.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

On this date:

In 1802, the United States Military Academy officially opened at West Point, N.Y.

In 1826, 50 years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died.

In 1831, the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, died in New York City.

In 1872, the 30th president of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, was born in Plymouth, Vt.

In 1919, Jack Dempsey won the world heavyweight boxing title by defeating Jess Willard in Toledo, Ohio.

In 1939, baseball's "Iron Horse," Lou Gehrig, said farewell to his fans at New York's Yankee Stadium.

In 1959, America's 49-star flag, honoring Alaskan statehood, was officially unfurled.

In 1960, America's 50-star flag, honoring Hawaiian statehood, was officially unfurled.

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act, which went into effect the following year.

In 1976, Israeli commandos raided Entebbe (en-TEH'-bee) airport in Uganda (yoo-GAHN'-dah), rescuing almost all of the passengers and crew of an Air France jetliner seized by pro-Palestinian hijackers.

Ten years ago: White supremacist Benjamin Nathaniel Smith shot himself to death as police closed in on him in southern Illinois, hours after he'd apparently shot and killed a Korean man outside a church in Bloomington, Ind.; authorities believe Smith was also responsible for killing former college basketball coach Ricky Byrdsong during a 3-day rampage targeting minorities. Pete Sampras and Lindsay Davenport won the singles titles at Wimbledon, defeating Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.

Five years ago: A 20-ton slab of granite, inscribed to honor "the enduring spirit of freedom," was laid at the World Trade Center site as the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower skyscraper that will replace the destroyed twin towers. Defending the war in Iraq, President George W. Bush told a cheering crowd outside the West Virginia state capitol that America was safer because Saddam Hussein was in a prison cell. Roger Federer overcame Andy Roddick's power game to win his second straight Wimbledon title, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-4. Meg Mallon won the Women's U.S. Open with a 6-under 65.

One year ago: Former Sen. Jesse Helms, an unyielding champion of the conservative movement who'd spent three combative and sometimes caustic decades in Congress, died in Raleigh, N.C., at age 86. Dara Torres completed her improbable Olympic comeback at age 41, making the U.S. team for the fifth time by winning the 100 freestyle at the trials in Omaha, Neb. Actress Evelyn Keyes died in Montecito, Calif., at age 91.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Gloria Stuart ('old Rose' in "Titanic") is 99. Conductor/TV host Mitch Miller ("Sing Along with Mitch") is 98. Advice columnist Pauline Phillips (the original "Dear Abby") is 91. Actress Eva Marie Saint is 85. Actress Gina Lollobrigida is 82. Playwright Neil Simon is 82. Baseball team owner George Steinbrenner is 79. Country singer Ray Pillow is 72. Singer/Songwriter Bill Withers is 71. Actor Ed Bernard is 70. Actress Karolyn Grimes is 69. Broadcast journalist Geraldo Rivera is 66. Rhythm & Blues Singer/Percussionist Ralph Johnson (Earth, Wind and Fire) is 58. Rock Percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz (Widespread Panic) is 57. Singer John Waite is 54. Rock Singer/Guitarist/Saxophonist Kirk Pengilly (INXS) is 51. Country musician Teddy Carr is 49. Rock Singer/DJ/Percussionist "DJ Zonka" (born Michael Custance)(Big Audio Dynamite) is 47. Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver is 47. Rock Bassist/Singwriter Matt Malley (formerly of Counting Crows) is 46. Christian rock singer Michael Sweet is 46. Actor Al Madrigal is 38. Actress Jenica Bergere is 35. Actor-singer John Lloyd Young is 34. Singer Stephen "Ste" McNally (BBMak) is 31. Actress Becki Newton (TV: "Ugly Betty") is 31. Presidential daughter Malia Obama is 11.

Thought for Today: "If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worthwhile." -- Samuel Eliot Morison, American historian (1887-1976).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 5, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Sunday, July 5, the 186th day of 2009. There are 179 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 5, 1865, William Booth founded the Salvation Army in London.

On this date:

In 1811, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.

In 1830, the French occupied the North African city of Algiers.

In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act.

In 1940, during World War II, Britain and the Vichy government in France broke off diplomatic relations.

In 1946, the bikini, designed by Louis Reard (ray-AHRD'), made its debut during an outdoor fashion show at the Molitor Pool in Paris.

In 1947, Larry Doby made his debut with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first black player in the American League.

In 1948, Britain's National Health Service Act went into effect, providing government-financed medical and dental care.

In 1975, Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win a Wimbledon singles title as he defeated Jimmy Connors.

In 1978, a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft touched down safely in Soviet Kazakhstan with its two-member crew, including the first Polish space traveler (Maj. Miroslaw Hermaszewski).

In 1984, the Supreme Court weakened the 70-year-old "exclusionary rule," deciding that evidence seized in good faith with defective court warrants could be used against defendants in criminal trials.

Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton began a 4-day, cross-country tour to promote a plan for drawing jobs and investment to poverty-stricken areas that had not shared in the prosperity of the 1990's.

Five years ago: In a stinging rebuke, Mexican President Vicente Fox's chief of staff, Alfonso Durazo, resigned.

One year ago: Venus Williams won her fifth Wimbledon singles title, beating younger sister Serena Williams 7-5, 6-4 in the final. Gas station owner Kent Couch flew a lawn chair rigged with helium-filled balloons more than 200 miles across the Oregon desert, landing in a field in Cambridge, Idaho.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Katherine Helmond is 80. Actress Shirley Knight is 73. Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Robbie Robertson :canada: (born Jaime Robert Klegerman, he took his stepfather's last name after his mother remarried.)(The Band) is 66. Julie Nixon Eisenhower is 61. Rock Singer/Songwriter/Harmonica Player Huey Lewis (born Hugh Anthony Cregg, III)(Huey Lewis and The News) is 59. Baseball Hall-of-Fame pitcher Rich "Goose" Gossage is 58. Country musician Charles Ventre is 57. Singer/Songwriter/Keyboardist/Guitarist Marc Cohn is 50. Actress Edie Falco ("The Sopranos") is 46. Actress Kathryn Erbe (er-BEE') is 44. Country Guitarist Brent Flynn (Flynnville Train) is 40. Rapper RZA (RIH'-zuh)(real name Robert Fitzgerald Diggs)(hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan) is 40. Rhythm & Blues singer Joe (real name Joe Lewis Thomas) is 36. Rock Drummer Bengt Lagerberg (The Cardigans) is 36. Actor Dale Godboldo is 34. Rapper Bizarre (real name Rufus Arthur Johnson) is 33. Rock Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Jason Wade (Lifehouse) is 29. Actor Ryan Hansen is 28. Country Singer/Guitarist/Mandolin player Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum) is 27. Rock Singer/Guitarist Nick O'Malley (Arctic Monkeys) is 24. Actor Jason Dolley is 18.

Thought for Today: "The real drawback to `the simple life' is that it is not simple. If you are living it, you positively can do nothing else. There is not time." -- Katharine Fullerton Gerould, American writer (1879-1944).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 6, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Monday, July 6, the 187th day of 2009. There are 178 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 6, 1944, an estimated 168 people died in a fire that broke out during a performance in the main tent of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford, Conn. (Among the survivors was future actor Charles Nelson Reilly, then age 13.)

On this date:

In 1535, St. Thomas More was executed in England for high treason.

In 1777, during the American Revolution, British forces captured Fort Ticonderoga.

In 1809, French troops arrested Pope Pius VII, who had excommunicated Emperor Napoleon I.

In 1885, French scientist Louis Pasteur successfully tested an anti-rabies vaccine on a boy who had been bitten by an infected dog.

In 1917, during World War I, Arab forces led by T.E. Lawrence and Auda Abu Tayi captured the port of Aqaba (AH'-kah-buh) from the Turks.

In 1928, the first all-talking feature, "Lights of New York," had its gala premiere in New York.

In 1945, President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order establishing the Medal of Freedom.

In 1957, Althea Gibson became the first black tennis player to win a Wimbledon singles title, defeating fellow American Darlene Hard 6-3, 6-2.

In 1988, 167 North Sea oil workers were killed when a series of explosions and fires destroyed a drilling platform.

In 1989, the U.S. Army destroyed its last Pershing IA missiles at an ammunition plant in Karnack, Texas, under terms of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Ten years ago: Ehud Barak took office as prime minister of Israel, pledging to seek peace with neighboring Arab countries.

Five years ago: Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry chose former rival John Edwards to be his running mate. A U.S. fighter pilot who'd mistakenly bombed Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan in 2002, killing four, was found guilty in New Orleans of dereliction of duty; Maj. Harry Schmidt was reprimanded and docked a month's pay.

One year ago: The U.S. launched an airstrike on combatants in Afghanistan's Nuristan province; the Afghan government later said 47 civilians died. President George W. Bush arrived in Japan for his eighth and final Group of 8 summit, where he emphasized the urgency of providing aid to Africa. Rafael Nadal won a riveting five-set Wimbledon final, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7, denying Roger Federer a sixth straight title in a match that lasted 4 hours, 48 minutes.

Today's Birthdays: Former first lady Nancy Reagan is 88. Actor William Schallert is 87. Actor Donal (cq) Donnelly is 78. Singer-actress Della Reese is 78. Actor Ned Beatty is 72. Singer Gene Chandler is 69. Country singer Jeannie Seely is 69. Actor Burt Ward ('Robin' on TV's "Batman") is 64. Former President George W. Bush is 63. Actor-director Sylvester Stallone is 63. Actor Fred Dryer is 63. Actress Nathalie Baye is 61. Actor Geoffrey Rush is 58. Rock Bassist John Bazz (The Blasters) is 57. Actor Grant Goodeve is 57. Country singer Nanci Griffith is 56. Actress Allyce Beasley is 55. Jazz Trumpeter Rick Braun is 54. Country musician John Jorgenson is 53. Former first daughter Susan Ford Bales is 52. Retired Hockey player Ron Duguay (doo-GAY') is 52. Rock Drummer John Keeble (Spandau Ballet) is 50. Retired Football player Joe Jacoby is 50. Actor Brian Posehn is 43. Rapper Inspectah Deck (real name Jason Hunter)(Wu-Tang Clan) is 39. Rapper 50 Cent (born Curtis James Jackson III) is 33. Actress Tamera Mowry (formerly of the sitcom "Sister, Sister") is 31. Actress Tia Mowry (formerly of the sitcom "Sister, Sister") is 31. Actress Eva (EH'-vuh) Green is 29. Actor Gregory Smith is 26. Rock singer Kate Nash is 22. Actor Jeremy Suarez ("Bernie Mac") is 19.

Thought for Today: "On the outskirts of every agony sits some observant fellow who points." -- Virginia Woolf, English author and critic (1882-1941).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 7, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Tuesday, July 7, the 188th day of 2009. There are 177 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 7, 1865, four people were hanged in Washington, D.C., for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.

On this date:

In 1898, the United States annexed Hawaii.

In 1908, the Democratic national convention, which nominated William Jennings Bryan for president, opened in Denver.

In 1919, the first Transcontinental Motor Convoy, in which a U.S. Army convoy of motorized vehicles crossed the United States, departed Washington D.C. (The trip ended in San Francisco on Sept. 6, 1919.)

In 1930, construction began on Boulder Dam (later Hoover Dam).

In 1948, six female reservists became the first women to be sworn into the regular U.S. Navy.

In 1969, Canada's House of Commons gave final approval to the Official Languages Act, making French equal to English throughout the national government.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan announced he was nominating Arizona Judge Sandra Day O'Connor to become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1983, 11-year-old Samantha Smith of Manchester, Maine, left for a visit to the Soviet Union at the personal invitation of Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov (ahn-DROH'-pawf).

In 2005, suicide terrorist bombings in three Underground stations and a double-decker bus killed 52 victims and four bombers in the worst attack on London since World War II.

Ten years ago: In the first class-action lawsuit by smokers to go to trial, a jury in Miami held cigarette makers liable for making a defective product that caused emphysema, lung cancer and other illnesses. (The jury later ordered the tobacco industry to pay $145 billion in punitive damages, but the Florida Supreme Court in 2006 voided the award, saying each smoker's case had to be decided individually.) President Bill Clinton became the first chief executive since Franklin D. Roosevelt to visit an Indian reservation as he toured the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Five years ago: Former Enron chairman Kenneth Lay was indicted on criminal charges related to the energy company's collapse. (Lay was later convicted of fraud and conspiracy, but died in July 2006 before he could be sentenced.) Jeff Smith, public television's popular "Frugal Gourmet" until a sex scandal ruined his career, died at age 65.

One year ago: A suicide bomber struck the Indian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 60 people. President George W. Bush met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for the first time at the Group of 8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan. Actress Nicole Kidman gave birth to a girl; she and her husband, country star Keith Urban, named their daughter Sunday Rose Kidman Urban.

Today's Birthdays: Blues Pianist Pinetop Perkins (born Joseph William Perkins) is 96. Trumpeter/Conductor/occassional Tonight Show substitute announcer Doc Severinsen (born Carl Hilding Severinsen)(formerly of "The NBC Orchestra" during the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson years) is 82. Country singer Charlie Louvin is 82. Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough is 76. Rock Drummer/Singer/Actor Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey, MBE) is 69. Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Warren Entner (The Grass Roots) is 65. Rock musician Jim Rodford is 64. Actor Joe Spano is 63. Pop singer David Hodo ('Hardhat Construction Worker' of "The Village People") is 62. Country singer Linda Williams is 62. Actress Shelley Duvall is 60. Actress Roz Ryan is 58. Actor Billy Campbell is 50. Rock Bassist Mark White (Spin Doctors) is 47. Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard is 46. Actor-comedian Jim Gaffigan is 43. Rhythm & Blues Bassist Ricky Kinchen (Mint Condition) is 43. Actress Jorja Fox is 41. Actress Cree Summer is 40. Actress Kirsten Vangsness is 37. Actor Troy Garity is 36. Actor Hamish Linklater is 33. Olympic silver and bronze medal figure skater Michelle Kwan is 29. Rapper Cassidy (real name Barry Adrian Reese) is 27. Country singer Gabbie Nolen is 27.

Thought for Today: "Only a mediocre person is always at his best." -- W. Somerset Maugham, English author and dramatist (1874-1965).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 8, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Wednesday, July 8, the 189th day of 2009. There are 176 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 8, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson received a tumultuous welcome in New York City after his return from the Versailles (vehr-SY') Peace Conference in France; Wilson then headed back to Washington D.C., arriving around midnight.

On this date:

In 1663, King Charles II of England granted a Royal Charter to Rhode Island.

In 1776, Col. John Nixon gave the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, in Philadelphia.

In 1853, an expedition led by Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Yedo Bay, Japan, on a mission to seek diplomatic and trade relations with the Japanese.

In 1889, The Wall Street Journal was first published.

In 1907, Florenz Ziegfeld staged his first "Follies," on the roof of the New York Theater.

In 1947, demolition work began in New York City to make way for the new permanent headquarters of the United Nations.

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman named General Douglas MacArthur commander-in-chief of United Nations forces in Korea.

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower began a visit to Canada, where he conferred with Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and addressed the Canadian Parliament.

In 1989, Carlos Saul Menem was inaugurated as president of Argentina in the country's first transfer of power from one democratically elected civilian leader to another in six decades.

In 1994, Kim Il Sung, North Korea's communist leader since 1948, died at age 82.

Ten years ago: An Air Force cargo jet took off from McChord Air Force Base in Washington on a dangerous mission to Antarctica to drop medicine for Dr. Jerri Nielsen, a physician at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Center who had discovered a lump in her breast. (The mission was successful; Nielsen was evacuated in October 1999. She died of cancer on June 23, 2009.) Astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr., the third man to walk on the moon, died after a motorcycle accident near Ojai (OH'-hy), Calif.; he was 69.

Five years ago: Adelphia Communications Corp. founder John Rigas and his son Timothy were convicted in New York of looting the cable company and deceiving investors. (John Rigas was sentenced to 12 years in prison; Timothy Rigas, 17.) A Swedish appeals court threw out a life prison sentence for the convicted killer of Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, ruling that Mijailo Mijailovic (mee-EYE'-loh mee-EYE'-luh-vich) should receive treatment for his "significant psychiatric problems."

One year ago: A bipartisan group chaired by former secretaries of state James Baker III and Warren Christopher released a study saying the next time the president goes to war, Congress should be consulted and vote on whether it agrees. A well-organized assault by gunmen on horseback on a United Nations-African Union patrol in Darfur left seven peacekeepers dead and 22 wounded.

Today's Birthdays: Singer Jerry Vale is 77. Singer Steve Lawrence is 74. Actor Jeffrey Tambor is 65. Ballerina Cynthia Gregory is 63. Actress Kim Darby is 62. Children's performer Raffi (Raffi Cavoukian) :canada: is 61. Actress Anjelica Huston is 58. News columnist Anna Quindlen is 57. Actor Kevin Bacon is 51. Rock Keyboardist Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode) is 48. Country singer Toby Keith is 48. Rock Singer/Guitarist Graham Jones (Haircut 100) is 48. Rock Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Joan Osborne is 47. Writer-producer Rob Burnett is 47. Actor Corey Parker is 44. Actor Billy Crudup is 41. Actor Michael Weatherly is 41. Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Beck (born Bek David Campbell) is 39. Country singer Drew Womack (Sons of the Desert) is 39. Christian Rock Guitarist Stephen Mason (Jars of Clay) is 34. Actor Milo Ventimiglia is 32. Rock musician Tavis Werts is 32. Singer Ben Jelen (YEL'-in) is 30. Actor Lance Gross is 28. Actress Sophia Bush is 27. Rock Guitarist Jamie Cook (Arctic Monkeys) is 24. Actor Jake McDorman is 23. Actor Jaden Smith is 11.

Thought for Today: "Fools are more to be feared than the wicked." -- Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 9, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Thursday, July 9, the 190th day of 2009. There are 175 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 9, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to Gen. George Washington's troops in New York.

On this date:

In 1540, England's King Henry VIII had his 6-month-old marriage to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, annulled.

In 1816, Argentina declared independence from Spain.

In 1850, the 12th president of the United States, Zachary Taylor, died after serving only 16 months of his term. (He was succeeded by Millard Fillmore.)

In 1896, William Jennings Bryan delivered his famous "cross of gold" speech at the Democratic national convention in Chicago.

In 1918, 101 people were killed in a train collision in Nashville, Tenn. The Distinguished Service Cross was established by an Act of Congress.

In 1938, Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo died in Port Chester, N.Y., at age 68.

In 1947, the engagement of Britain's Princess Elizabeth to Lt. Philip Mountbatten was announced.

In 1951, President Harry S. Truman asked Congress to formally end the state of war between the United States and Germany.

In 1974, former U.S. Chief Justice Earl Warren died in Washington D.C. at age 83.

In 1982, a Pan Am Boeing 727 crashed in Kenner, La., killing all 145 people aboard and eight people on the ground.

Ten years ago: A jury in Los Angeles ordered General Motors Corp. to pay $4.9 billion to six people severely burned when their Chevrolet Malibu exploded in flames in a rear-end collision. (A judge later reduced the punitive damages to $1.09 billion, while letting stand $107 million in compensatory damages; GM settled the lawsuit in July 2003 for an undisclosed amount.)

Five years ago: A Senate Intelligence Committee report concluded the CIA had provided unfounded assessments of the threat posed by Iraq that the Bush administration had relied on to justify going to war. The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's planned security barrier in the West Bank violated international law. Paul Klebnikov, the American editor of Forbes magazine's Russian edition, was gunned down near his Moscow office. Actress Isabel Sanford died in Los Angeles at age 86.

One year ago: Prosecutors cleared JonBenet Ramsey's parents and brother in the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old beauty queen in Boulder, Colo. Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, battling a brain tumor, walked into the Senate to cast a dramatic vote in favor of long-stalled Medicare legislation. Iran test-fired nine missiles, including ones capable of hitting Israel. Gunmen stormed a guard post at the U.S. consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, touching off a firefight that killed three police officers and three assailants.

Today's Birthdays: Actor-singer Ed Ames (famous for the Tonight Show blooper 'Tomahawk to the groin') is 82. Actor James Hampton (incompetent bugler of TV's 'F-Troop') is 73. Actor Brian Dennehy is 71. Actor Richard Roundtree (best known for playing 'John Shaft') is 67. Author Dean Koontz is 64. Football Hall-of-Famer O.J. Simpson is 62. Actor Chris Cooper is 58. TV personality/Pianist/Composer John Tesh is 57. Country singer David Ball is 56. Rhythm & blues singer Debbie Sledge ("Sister Sledge") is 55. Actor Jimmy Smits is 54. Actress Lisa Banes is 54. Actor Tom Hanks is 53. Singer Marc Almond is 52. Actress Kelly McGillis is 52. Rock Singer/Songwriter Jim Kerr ("Simple Minds") is 50. Actress-Rock Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Courtney Love is 45. Rock Bassist Frank Bello ("Anthrax") is 44. Actor David O'Hara is 44. Rock Drummer Xavier Muriel (Buckcherry) is 41. Actor Scott Grimes is 38. Actor Enrique Murciano is 36. Rock Guitarist Dan Estrin ("Hoobastank") is 33. Actor-director Fred Savage is 33. Country Fiddler Pat Allingham is 31. Actress Megan Parlen is 29. Rhythm & blues singer Kiely Williams ("3lw") is 23. Actor Mitchel Musso is 18. Actress Georgie Henley (Film: "The Chronicles of Narnia" films) is 14.

Thought for Today: "Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough." -- Mary McLeod Bethune, American educator and reformer (1875-1955).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://kdka.com/watercooler/today.in.history.2.1067448.html

Today In History
Associated Press - July 10, 2009 3:02 am US/Eastern

Today is Friday, July 10, the 191st day of 2009. There are 174 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

Five hundred years ago, on July 10, 1509, French theologian John Calvin, a key figure of the Protestant Reformation, was born Jean Cauvin in Noyon, Picardy, France.

On this date:

In 1890, Wyoming became the 44th state.

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson personally delivered the Treaty of Versailles to the Senate, and urged its ratification. (However, the Senate rejected it.)

In 1929, American paper currency was reduced in size as the government began issuing bills that were approximately 25 percent smaller.

In 1940, during World War II, the Battle of Britain began as Nazi forces began attacking southern England by air. (The Royal Air Force was ultimately victorious.)

In 1951, armistice talks aimed at ending the Korean War began at Kaesong.

In 1962, the Telstar 1 communications satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla.

In 1973, the Bahamas became fully independent after three centuries of British colonial rule.

In 1979, conductor Arthur Fiedler, who had led the Boston Pops orchestra for a half-century, died in Brookline, Mass., at age 84.

In 1989, Mel Blanc, the "man of a thousand voices," including such cartoon characters as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, died in Los Angeles at age 81.

In 1991, Boris N. Yeltsin took the oath of office as the first elected president of the Russian republic.

Ten years ago: The United States women's soccer team won the World Cup, beating China 5-4 on penalty kicks after 120 minutes of scoreless play at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush said in his weekly radio address that legalizing gay marriage would redefine the most fundamental institution of civilization, and that a constitutional amendment was needed to protect traditional marriage.

One year ago: President George W. Bush signed a bill overhauling rules about government eavesdropping and granting immunity to telecommunications companies that helped the U.S. spy on Americans in suspected terrorism cases. The Senate handily confirmed Gen. David Petraeus as the top commander in the Middle East. Former White House adviser Karl Rove defied a congressional subpoena, refusing to testify about allegations of political pressure at the Justice Department.

Today's Birthdays: Eunice Kennedy Shriver is 88. Former boxer Jake LaMotta is 88. Writer-producer Earl Hamner Jr. is 86. Former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins is 82. Actor William Smithers is 82. Broadway composer Jerry Herman is 78. Director Ivan Passer is 76. Actor Lawrence Pressman is 70. Singer Mavis Staples is 70. Actor Mills Watson is 69. Actor Robert Pine is 68. Rock Guitarist Jerry Miller (Moby Grape) is 66. Tennis player Virginia Wade is 64. Actor Ron Glass is 64. Actress Sue Lyon is 63. Folk Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Arlo Guthrie is 62. Rock Singer/Guitarist Dave Smalley (The Raspberries) is 60. Country-folk singer-songwriter Cheryl Wheeler is 58. Rock Singer/Songwriter/Keyboardist/Guitarist Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys) is 55. Banjo player Bela Fleck is 51. Country Singer/Drummer Shaw Wilson (BR549) is 49. Country Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Ken Mellons is 44. Rock Guitarist Peter DiStefano (Porno for Pyros) is 44. Country singer Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts) is 39. Actress Sofia Vergara is 37. Actor Adrian Grenier is 33. Actor Thomas Ian Nicholas is 29. Singer-actress Jessica Simpson is 29. Rock Singer/Bassist John Spiker is 28.

Thought for Today: "A concept is stronger than a fact." - Charlotte Perkins Gilman, American economist and feminist (1860-1935).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279421&nav=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 11, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Saturday, July 11, the 192nd day of 2009. There are 173 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 11, 1859, Big Ben, the great bell inside the famous London clock tower, chimed for the first time. (The clock itself had been keeping time since May 31.)

On this date:

In 1767, John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, was born in Braintree, Mass.

In 1798, the U.S. Marine Corps was formally re-established by a congressional act that also created the U.S. Marine Band.

In 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr mortally wounded former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton during a pistol duel in Weehawken, N.J.

In 1864, Confederate forces led by General Jubal Early began an abortive invasion of Washington D.C., turning back the next day.

In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first incumbent chief executive to travel through the Panama Canal.

In 1952, the Republican national convention, meeting in Chicago, nominated Dwight D. Eisenhower for president and Richard M. Nixon for vice president.

In 1955, the U.S. Air Force Academy swore in its first class of cadets at its temporary quarters, Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado.

In 1978, 216 people were immediately killed when a tanker truck overfilled with propylene gas exploded on a coastal highway south of Tarragona, Spain.

In 1979, the abandoned U.S. space station Skylab made a spectacular return to Earth, burning up in the atmosphere and showering debris over the Indian Ocean and Australia.

In 1989, aclaimed actor and director Laurence Olivier died in Steyning, West Sussex, England, at age 82.

Ten years ago: A U.S. Air Force cargo jet, braving Antarctic winter, swept down over the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Center to drop off emergency medical supplies for Dr. Jerri Nielsen, a physician at the center who had discovered a lump in her breast.

Five years ago: Japan's largest opposition party experienced strong gains in upper house elections, while Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling bloc held on to a majority. The International AIDS Conference opened in Bangkok, Thailand, with U.N. chief Kofi Annan challenging world leaders to do more to combat the raging global epidemic. Joe Gold, the founder of the original Gold's Gym in 1965, died in Los Angeles at age 82.

One year ago: Oil prices reached a record high of $147.27 a barrel. IndyMac Bank's assets were seized by federal regulators. A North Korean soldier fatally shot a South Korean tourist at a northern mountain resort, further straining relations between the two Koreas. Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, the cardiovascular surgeon who pioneered such procedures as bypass surgery, died in Houston, Texas, at age 99.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Tab Hunter is 78. Actress Susan Seaforth Hayes is 66. Country Singer/Guitarist Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) is 62. Ventriloquist-actor Jay Johnson is 60. Actor Bruce McGill is 59. Singer Bonnie Pointer is 59. Actor Stephen Lang is 57. Actress Mindy Sterling is 56. Actress Sela Ward is 53. Reggae singer Michael Rose (Black Uhuru) is 52. Alternative Rock Singer Peter Murphy is 52. Former Child Actor Mark Lester is 51 (SIO Note: He and Michael Jackson were godfathers to each other's children - Michael Jackson asked if I wanted to be Blanket's godfather: Friend Mark Lester gives a touching insight into the tortured singer). Jazz Saxophonist/Songwriter Kirk Whalum is 51. Singer/Songwriter Guitarist Suzanne Vega is 50. Rock Guitarist Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) is 50. Actress Lisa Rinna is 46. Rock Singer/Bassist Scott Shriner (Weezer) is 44. Actress Debbe (correct) Dunning is 43. Actor Greg Grunberg is 43. Wildlife expert Jeff Corwin is 42. Actor Justin Chambers is 39. Actor Michael Rosenbaum is 37. Pop-rock singer Andrew Bird is 36. Country singer Scotty Emerick is 36. Rapper Lil' Kim (real name Kimberly Denise Jones) is 34. Rock singer Ben Gibbard is 33. Rapper Lil' Zane (real name Zane Copeland, Jr.) is 27. Football player Chris Cooley is 27. Pop-jazz Singer/Songwriter/Pianist Peter Cincotti is 26. Actor David Henrie is 20.

Thought for Today: "Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms. I said that some time ago, and today I do not think I would add one word." - Laurence Olivier, English actor-director (1907-1989).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 12, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Sunday, July 12, the 193rd day of 2009. There are 172 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 12, 1984, Democratic presidential candidate Walter F. Mondale announced he'd chosen U.S. Rep. Geraldine A. Ferraro of New York to be his running-mate; Ferraro was the first woman to run for vice president on a major-party ticket.

On this date:

In 1543, England's King Henry VIII married his sixth and last wife, Catherine Parr.

In 1690, forces led by William of Orange defeated the army of James II at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland.

In 1812, United States forces led by Gen. William Hull entered Canada during the War of 1812 against Britain. (However, Hull retreated shortly thereafter to Detroit.)

In 1862, Congress authorized the Medal of Honor.

In 1908, comedian Milton Berle was born Mendel Berlinger in New York City.

In 1909, the House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, allowing for a federal income tax, and submitted it to the states. (It was declared ratified in Feb. 1913.)

In 1948, the Democratic national convention, which nominated President Harry S. Truman for a second term of office, opened in Philadelphia.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter defended Supreme Court limits on government payments for poor women's abortions, saying, "There are many things in life that are not fair."

In 1988, Democratic presidential candidate Michael S. Dukakis tapped Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas as his running-mate.

In 1993, some 200 people were killed when an earthquake measuring magnitude 7.8 struck northern Japan and triggered a tsunami.

Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton and Republican congressional leaders held their first face-to-face budget meeting of the year; the talk was described afterward as positive.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush defended the Iraq war during a visit to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, saying the invasion had made America safer. Wall Street brokerage Morgan Stanley settled a sex discrimination suit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, agreeing to pay $54 million.

One year ago: Former White House press secretary Tony Snow died in Washington D.C. at age 53. Former All-Star outfielder and longtime Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer died in Oklahoma City at age 62. Angelina Jolie gave birth to twins Knox and Vivienne, making a family of 8 with Brad Pitt.

Today's Birthdays: Movie director Monte Hellman is 77. Pianist Van Cliburn is 75. Comedian Bill Cosby is 72. Singer/Songwriter/Keyboardist Christine McVie (born Christine Anne Perfect)(Fleetwood Mac) is 66. Actress Denise Nicholas is 65. Singer/Songwriter Butch Hancock is 64. Fitness guru Richard Simmons is 61. Actor Jay Thomas is 61. Rock Singer/Songwriter Walter Egan is 61. Writer-producer Brian Grazer is 58. Actress Cheryl Ladd is 58. Actor Jamey Sheridan is 58. Country singer Julie Miller is 53. Gospel singer Sandi Patty is 53. Actress Mel Harris is 53. Actor Buddy Foster is 52. Rock guitarist Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum) is 47. Actress Judi Evans is 45. Rock singer Robin Wilson (Gin Blossoms) is 44. Actress Lisa Nicole Carson is 40. Olympic gold medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi is 38. Country singer Shannon Lawson is 36. Rapper Magoo (real name Melvin Barcliff) is 36. Hockey player Dan Boyle is 33. Actress Anna Friel is 33. Rhythm & blues singer Tracie Spencer is 33. Actor Steve Howey is 32. Actor Topher Grace is 31. Actress Michelle Rodriguez is 31. Actor Erik Per Sullivan is 18.

Thought for Today: "Man is not made for society, but society is made for man. No institution can be good which does not tend to improve the individual." - Margaret Fuller, American social reformer (1810-1850).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=279...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 13, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Monday, July 13, the 194th day of 2009. There are 171 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 13, 1793, French revolutionary writer Jean-Paul Marat was stabbed to death in his bath by Charlotte Corday, who was executed four days later.

On this date:

In 1787, Congress enacted an ordinance governing the Northwest Territory.

In 1863, deadly rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City. (The insurrection was put down three days later.)

In 1878, the Treaty of Berlin amended the terms of the Treaty of San Stefano, which had ended the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.

In 1886, Father Edward Joseph Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy won the Democratic presidential nomination at his party's convention in Los Angeles.

In 1972, George McGovern claimed the Democratic presidential nomination at the party's convention in Miami Beach.

In 1977, a blackout lasting 25 hours hit the New York City area.

In 1978, Lee Iacocca was fired as president of Ford Motor Co. by chairman Henry Ford II.

In 1979, four Palestinian guerrillas stormed the Egyptian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, killing two guards and taking some 20 hostages. (The guerrillas surrendered 45 hours later.)

In 1985, "Live Aid," an international rock concert in London, Philadelphia, Moscow and Sydney, took place to raise money for Africa's starving people.

Ten years ago: Angel Maturino Resendiz, suspected of being the "Railroad Killer," surrendered in El Paso, Texas. (Resendiz was executed in 2006.) In Tehran, police fired tear gas to disperse 10,000 demonstrators on the sixth day of protests against Iranian hard-liners. The American League won the All-Star Game for the third straight time, defeating the National League 4-1 at Boston's Fenway Park. Stanley Kubrick's final film, "Eyes Wide Shut" starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, had its premiere in Los Angeles. (The movie opened in wide release three days later.)

Five years ago: A confidant of Osama bin Laden's (Khaled bin Ouda bin Mohammed al-Harbi) surrendered to Saudi diplomats in Iran and was flown to Saudi Arabia. The American League cruised past the National League 9-4 in the All-Star game at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

One year ago: An assault by militants on a remote U.S. base in Afghanistan close to the Pakistan border killed nine American soldiers and wounded 15. Anheuser-Busch agreed to a takeover by giant Belgian brewer InBev SA. Talk show host Les Crane died in Greenbrae, Calif., at age 74.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Patrick Stewart is 69. Actor Robert Forster is 68. Actor Harrison Ford is 67. Folk Rock Singer/Guitarist Roger McGuinn (The Byrds) is 67. Actor-comedian Cheech Marin is 63. Actress Daphne Maxwell Reid is 61. Actress Didi Conn is 58. Country Singer/Fiddle Player Louise Mandrell is 55. Writer-director Cameron Crowe is 52. Tennis player Anders Jarryd is 48. Rock Drummer Gonzalo Martinez De La Cotera (formerly of Marcy Playground) is 47. Country singer-songwriter Victoria Shaw is 47. Bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent is 47. Actor Kenny Johnson is 46. Actor Michael Jace is 44. Country singer Neil Thrasher is 44. Singer Deborah Cox is 36. Hockey player Sheldon Souray is 33. Rock Drummer Will Champion (Coldplay) is 31.

Thought for Today: "Individuality is freedom lived." - John Dos Passos, American author (1896-1970).

 

[superintelligentone]

http://www.kvoa.com/...v=menu216_17_21

Today In History
Associated Press - July 14, 2009 3:13 AM ET

Today is Tuesday, July 14, the 195th day of 2009. There are 170 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On July 14th, 1789, during the French Revolution, citizens of Paris stormed the Bastille prison and released the seven prisoners inside.

On this date:

In 1798, Congress passed the Sedition Act, making it a federal crime to publish false, scandalous or malicious writing about the United States government.

In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry relayed to Japanese officials a letter from President Millard Fillmore, requesting trade relations. (Fillmore's term of office had already expired by the time the letter was delivered.)

In 1881, outlaw William H. Bonney Jr., alias "Billy the Kid," was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, N.M.

In 1908, the short film "The Adventures of Dollie," the first movie directed by D.W. Griffith, opened in New York.

In 1913, Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., the 38th president of the United States, was born Leslie Lynch King Jr. in Omaha, Neb.

In 1921, Italian-born anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were convicted in Dedham, Mass., of murdering a shoe company paymaster and his guard. (Sacco and Vanzetti were executed six years later.)

In 1933, all German political parties, except the Nazi Party, were outlawed.

In 1958, the army of Iraq overthrew the monarchy.

In 1966, eight student nurses were murdered by Richard Speck in a Chicago dormitory.

In 1978, Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky was convicted of treasonous espionage and anti-Soviet agitation, and sentenced to 13 years at hard labor. (Sharansky was released in 1986.)

Ten years ago: Iranian hard-liners answered a week of pro-democracy rallies with 1 of their own, sending 100,000 people into the streets of Tehran. Race-based school busing in Boston came to an end after 25 years. Major league umpires voted to resign Sept. 2 and not work the final month of the season. (The strategy collapsed, with baseball owners accepting the resignations of 22 umpires.)

Five years ago: The Senate scuttled a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. (Forty-eight senators voted to advance the measure - 12 short of the 60 needed - and 50 voted to block it). In Iraq, a suicide attacker detonated a massive car bomb at a checkpoint near the British Embassy and the interim government's headquarters in Baghdad, killing 11 people; the governor of Nineveh province was killed in an attack on his convoy.

One year ago: President George W. Bush lifted an executive ban on offshore drilling which had stood since his father was president. The New Yorker magazine featured a satirical cover showing Barack Obama dressed as a Muslim and his wife, Michelle, as a terrorist. (The Obama campaign called the cover "tasteless and offensive.")

Today's Birthdays: Playwright Arthur Laurents is 92. Actor Dale Robertson is 86. Actor Harry Dean Stanton is 83. Actress Nancy Olson is 81. Actress Polly Bergen (born Nellie Paulina Burgin) is 79. Former football player/Actor Rosey Grier is 77. Actor Vincent Pastore is 63. Former music company executive Tommy Mottola (muh-TOH'-luh) is 60. Rock Bassist Chris Cross (Ultravox) is 57. Actor Jerry Houser is 57. Actor-director Eric Laneuville is 57. Actor Stan Shaw is 57. Movie producer Scott Rudin is 51. Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist/Actor Kyle Gass (Tenacious D) is 49. Country Guitarist Ray Herndon (McBride and the Ride) is 49. Actress Jane Lynch is 49. Actor Jackie Earle Haley is 48. Actor Matthew Fox is 43. Rock Keyboardist Ellen Reid (Crash Test Dummies) is 43. Rock Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Tanya Donelly is 43. Actress Missy Gold is 39. Canadian Olympic gold medal snowboarder Ross Rebagliati is 38. Baseball player Tim Hudson is 34. Rhythm & blues singer Tameka Cottle (Xscape) is 34. Country singer Jamey Johnson is 34. Hip-hop musician Taboo (born Jaime Luis Gómez)(Black Eyed Peas) is 34. Actor Scott Porter is 30.

Thought for Today: "I have never regarded myself as this or that. I have been too busy being myself to bother about regarding myself." - Rex Stout, American crime author (1886-1975).