Today's Highlight in History:
On Jan. 26, 1788, the first European settlers in Australia, led by Capt. Arthur Phillip, landed in present-day Sydney.
On this date:
In 1837, Michigan became the 26th state.
In 1841, Britain formally occupied Hong Kong, which the Chinese had ceded to the British.
In 1861, Louisiana seceded from the Union.
In 1870, Virginia rejoined the Union.
In 1942, the first American expeditionary force to go to Europe during World War II went ashore in Northern Ireland.
In 1950, India officially proclaimed itself a republic as Rajendra Prasad took the oath of office as president.
In 1962, the United States launched Ranger III to land scientific instruments on the moon
- but the probe missed its target by more than 22,000 miles.
In 1979, former Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller died in New York at age 70.
In 1988, Australians celebrated the 200th anniversary of their country as a grand parade of tall ships re-enacted the voyage of the first European settlers.
In 1988, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Phantom of the Opera" opened at Broadway's Majestic Theater.
Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton forcefully denied having an affair with a former White House intern, telling reporters: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky." Stung by a drop in profits, AT&T said it would cut at least 15,000 jobs, freeze executive salaries and shake up management to reduce costs.
