This day in history

[August 14, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Saturday, Aug. 14, the 226th day of 2010. There are 139 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Aug. 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.

On this date:

In 1848, the Oregon Territory was created.

In 1900, international forces, including U.S. Marines, entered Beijing to put down the Boxer Rebellion, which was aimed at purging China of foreign influence.

In 1908, a race riot erupted in Springfield, Ill., as a white mob began setting black-owned homes and businesses on fire; at least two blacks and five whites were killed in the violence.

In 1909, the newly opened Indianapolis Motor Speedway held its first event, a series of motorcycle races.

In 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II.

In 1947, Pakistan became independent of British rule.

In 1969, British troops went to Northern Ireland to intervene in sectarian violence between Protestants and Roman Catholics.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale were nominated for second terms at the Democratic national convention in New York.

In 1980, workers went on strike at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk (guh-DANSK'), Poland, in a job action that resulted in the creation of the Solidarity labor movement.

In 1980, actress-model Dorothy Stratten, 20, was shot to death by her estranged husband and manager, Paul Snider, who then killed himself.

Ten years ago: On the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, President Bill Clinton offered a triumphant review of his years in office, and exhorted delegates to propel Al Gore on the road to succeed him.

Five years ago: Israel sealed the Gaza Strip to Israeli civilians, signaling the start of the historic withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. A Cypriot plane crashed into a hill north of Athens, killing all 121 people on board. Cristeta Comerford was named the new White House executive chef, the first woman to hold the post.

One year ago: President Barack Obama denounced what he suggested was news media overemphasis on scenes of angry protesters at town-hall meetings on health care, telling his own town hall-style meeting in Belgrade, Mont. that "TV loves a ruckus." Charles Manson follower Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, 60, convicted of trying to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, was released from a Texas prison hospital after more than three decades behind bars.

Today's birthdays: Broadway lyricist Lee Adams ("Bye Bye Birdie") is 86. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Russell Baker is 85. Singer Buddy Greco is 84. Baseball Hall of Fame coach Earl Weaver is 80. College Football Hall of Famer John Brodie is 75. Singer Dash Crofts is 72. Rock singer David Crosby is 69. Country singer Connie Smith is 69. Comedian-actor Steve Martin is 65. Actor Antonio Fargas is 64. Singer-musician Larry Graham is 64. Actress Susan Saint James is 64. Actor David Schramm is 64. Author Danielle Steel is 63. Rock singer-musician Terry Adams (NRBQ) is 60. "Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson is 60. Actor Carl Lumbly is 59. Olympic gold medal swimmer Debbie Meyer is 58. Film composer James Horner is 57. Actress Jackee Harry is 54. Actress Marcia Gay Harden is 51. Former basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson is 51. Singer Sarah Brightman is 50. Actress Susan Olsen is 49. Rock musician Keith Howland (Chicago) is 46. Actress Halle Berry is 44. Actress Catherine Bell is 42. Country musician Cody McCarver (Confederate Railroad) is 42. Rock musician Kevin Cadogan is 40. Actor Scott Michael Campbell is 39. Actress Lalanya Masters is 38. Actor Christopher Gorham is 36. Actress Mila Kunis is 27. TV personality Spencer Pratt is 27.

Thought for today: "Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think. And there is no freedom of thought without doubt." -- Bergen Baldwin Evans, American author (1904-1978)

[Associated Press]

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