This day in history

[August 05, 2009]  (AP)  Today is Wednesday, Aug. 5, the 217th day of 2009. There are 148 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Aug. 5, 1884, the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty's pedestal was laid on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor.

On this date:

In 1858, American businessman Cyrus Field finished laying out the first trans-Atlantic telegraph cable between Newfoundland and Ireland. (However, after several weeks of use, the cable burned out.)

In 1864, during the Civil War, Union Adm. David G. Farragut led his fleet to victory in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Ala.

In 1924, the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," by Harold Gray, made its debut.

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the National Labor Board, which was later replaced with the National Labor Relations Board.

In 1953, Operation Big Switch began as prisoners taken during the Korean conflict were exchanged at Panmunjom.

In 1962, actress Marilyn Monroe, 36, was found dead in her Los Angeles home; her death was ruled a probable suicide from an overdose of sleeping pills.

In 1963, the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union signed a treaty in Moscow banning nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in space and underwater.

In 1968, the Republican national convention convened in Miami Beach, Fla.

In 1969, the U.S. space probe Mariner 7 flew by Mars, sending back photographs and scientific data.

In 1984, actor Richard Burton died in Geneva, Switzerland, at age 58.

Ten years ago: Republicans overcame solid Democratic opposition to narrowly win passage of a 10-year, $792 billion tax cut, first in the House, then in the Senate; President Bill Clinton denounced the measure and promised a veto. (He carried out his threat on Sept. 23, 1999). Richard Holbrooke won Senate confirmation as U.N. ambassador after a grueling 14-month battle. Mark McGwire became the 16th member of the 500-home run club, hitting two homers -- Nos. 500 and 501 -- in the St. Louis Cardinals' 10-3 loss to San Diego.

Five years ago: New York City's director of ferries pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of manslaughter in the wreck of a Staten Island ferry. (Patrick Ryan later pleaded guilty to negligent manslaughter and was sentenced to a year in prison.) Two-year-old twins from the Philippines, Carl and Clarence Aguirre, born with the tops of their heads fused together, were separated at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. The Georgia men's basketball team was placed on four years' probation for rules violations under former coach Jim Harrick.

One year ago: President George W. Bush arrived in South Korea to begin a three-country Asia tour. Seven firefighters and two pilots were killed when their helicopter crashed on takeoff while ferrying the crew members from fire lines in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California. Jose Medellin, a Mexican-born condemned killer, was executed by the state of Texas for his part in a horrific attack on two teenage girls in 1993.

Today's birthdays: Former astronaut Neil A. Armstrong is 79. Actress Cammie King ("Gone with the Wind") is 75. Actor John Saxon is 74. Actor Zakes Mokae is 74. Former football player Roman Gabriel is 69. Country songwriter Bobby Braddock is 69. Rock musician Rick Huxley (The Dave Clark Five) is 69. Actress Loni Anderson is 64. Actress Erika Slezak is 63. Rock singer Rick Derringer is 62. Actress Holly Palance is 59. Singer Samantha Sang is 56. Actress-singer Maureen McCormick is 53. Rock musician Pat Smear is 50. Actress Tawney Kitaen is 48. Country musician Mark O'Connor is 48. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Patrick Ewing is 47. Rapper MCA (The Beastie Boys) is 45. Actor Jonathan Silverman is 43. Country singer Terri Clark is 41. Former baseball player John Olerud is 41. Rock musician Eicca Toppinen (Apocalyptica) is 34. Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford is 28. Actor Brendon Ryan Barrett is 23.

Thought for today: "What worries you, masters you." -- John Locke, English philosopher (1632-1704)

[Associated Press]

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