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 Today's Highlight in History:
On June 6, 1944, the "D-Day" invasion of Europe took place during World War II as Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France.
On this date:
In 1809, Sweden adopted a new constitution.
In 1844, the Young Men's Christian Association was founded in London.
In 1918, American Marines suffered heavy casualties as they launched their eventually successful counteroffensive against German troops in the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood in France.
In 1925, Walter Percy Chrysler founded the Chrysler Corp.
In 1934, the Securities and Exchange Commission was established.
In 1966, black activist James Meredith was shot and wounded as he walked along a Mississippi highway to encourage black voter registration.
In 1968, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy died at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, a day after he was shot by Sirhan Bishara Sirhan.
In 1978, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 13, a primary ballot initiative calling for major cuts in property taxes.
In 1982, Israeli forces invaded Lebanon to drive Palestine Liberation Organization fighters out of the country. (The Israelis withdrew in June 1985.)
In 1989, burial services were held for Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Washington state Democrat Tom Foley succeeded Jim Wright as House speaker.
Ten years ago: The space shuttle Discovery returned from a 10-day mission that included a visit to the international space station. At the Tony Awards, Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" was named best revival; "Side Man" won best play; "Fosse" was awarded best musical. In tennis, Andre Agassi won the French Open, defeating Andrei Medvedev 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, while in golf, Juli Inkster shot a final-round 1-under 71 for a 16-under 272 total to win the U.S. Women's Open.
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 Five years ago: World leaders, including President George W. Bush and French President Jacques Chirac, put aside their differences to commemorate the D-Day invasion that broke Nazi Germany's grip on continental Europe. "Avenue Q" won best musical at the Tony Awards, while "I Am My Own Wife" was named best play; Phylicia Rashad, who starred in a revival of "A Raisin in the Sun," became the first black actress to win a Tony for a leading dramatic role. Unseeded Gaston Gaudio upset Guillermo Coria 0-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 8-6 to win the French Open.
One year ago: The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 394.64 points to 12,209.81, its worst loss in more than a year. Crude futures made their biggest single-day jump ever, soaring nearly $11 for the day to $138.54 a barrel. Actor Bob Anderson, who played young George Bailey (James Stewart) in "It's a Wonderful Life," died in Palm Springs, Calif., at age 75.
Today's Birthdays: Actress Billie Whitelaw is 77. Civil rights activist Roy Innis is 75. Singer-songwriter Gary "U.S." Bonds is 70. Country singer Joe Stampley is 66. Actor Robert Englund is 60. Folk singer Holly Near is 60. Singer Dwight Twilley is 58. Playwright-actor Harvey Fierstein is 55. Comedian Sandra Bernhard is 54. Tennis player Bjorn Borg is 53. Actress Amanda Pays is 50. Comedian Colin Quinn is 50. Record producer Jimmy Jam is 50. Rock musician Steve Vai is 49. Rock singer-musician Tom Araya (Slayer) is 48. Actor Jason Isaacs is 46. Rock musician Sean Yseult (White Zombie) is 43. Actor Max Casella is 42. Actor Paul Giamatti is 42. R&B singer Damion Hall (Guy) is 41. Rock musician Bardi Martin is 40. Rock musician James "Munky" Shaffer (Korn) is 39. TV correspondent Natalie Morales is 37. Country singer Lisa Brokop is 36. Rapper-rocker Uncle Kracker is 35. Actress Sonya Walger is 35. Actress Staci Keanan is 34.
Thought for Today: "To be successful, grow to the point where one completely forgets himself; that is, to lose himself in a great cause."
- Booker T. Washington, American educator (1856-1915).
[Associated Press]
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