|
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 six-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.
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.
In 1944, during World War II, American forces secured Saipan as the last Japanese defenses fell.
In 1947, the engagement of Britain's Princess Elizabeth to Lt. Philip Mountbatten was announced.
In 1951, President Harry Truman asked Congress to formally end the state of war between the U.S. and Germany.
In 1982, a Pan Am Boeing 727 crashed in Kenner, La., killing all 145 people aboard and eight people on the ground.
In 1986, the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography released the final draft of its report, which linked hard-core porn to sex crimes.
Ten years ago: Leaders of 16 NATO nations met with 25 other countries in an unprecedented security summit in Madrid, Spain. Boxer Mike Tyson was banned from the ring and fined $3 million for biting opponent Evander Holyfield's ear.
[to top of second column]
 |
 Five years ago: The Senate voted to entomb thousands of tons of radioactive waste inside Yucca Mountain in the Nevada desert, rejecting the state's fervent protests. Speaking in New York, President Bush called for doubled prison terms and aggressive policing to combat fraud and corruption in corporate America. African leaders launched the African Union, an ambitious new body intended to pull the beleaguered continent out of poverty and conflict. To the boos of disappointed fans, the All-Star
Game in Milwaukee finished in a 7-7 tie after 11 innings when both teams ran out of pitchers. Academy Award-winning actor Rod Steiger died in Los Angeles at age 77.
One year ago: A Russian Airbus A310 crashed in the Siberian city of Irkutsk, killing at least 125 of 203 people on board. In a penalty-plagued final, Italy won the World Cup soccer title with a penalty shootout over France. Roger Federer ended a five-match losing streak to Rafael Nadal, winning 6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3 to earn his fourth straight Wimbledon title.
Today's birthdays: Actor-singer Ed Ames is 80. Singer-songwriter Lee Hazelwood is 78. Actor James Hampton is 71. Actor Brian Dennehy is 69. Actor Richard Roundtree is 65. Author Dean Koontz is 62. Football Hall-of-Famer O.J. Simpson is 60. Actor Chris Cooper is 56. TV personality John Tesh is 55. Country singer David Ball is 54. Rhythm-and-blues singer Debbie Sledge (Sister Sledge) is 53. Actor Jimmy Smits is 52. Actress Lisa Banes is 52. Actor Tom Hanks is 51. Singer Marc Almond is 50. Actress Kelly McGillis is 50. Rock singer Jim Kerr (Simple Minds) is 48. Actress-rock singer Courtney Love is 43. Rock musician Frank Bello (Anthrax) is 42. Actor David O'Hara is 42. Actor Scott Grimes is 36. Actor Enrique Murciano is 34. Rock musician Dan Estrin (Hoobastank) is 31. Actor Fred Savage is 31. Country musician Pat Allingham is 29. Actress Megan Parlen is 27. Rhythm-and-blues singer Kiely Williams (3lw) is 21.
Thought for today: "A good storyteller is a person who has a good memory and hopes other people haven't."
-- Irvin Cobb, American humorist (1876-1944).
[Associated
Press]
 |
