This day in history

[August 30, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Monday, Aug. 30, the 242nd day of 2010. There are 123 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Aug. 30, 1997, Americans received word of the car crash in Paris that claimed the lives of Princess Diana, Dodi Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul. (Because of the time difference, it was Aug. 31 where the crash occurred.)

On this date:

In 1797, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, creator of "Frankenstein," was born in London.

In 1861, Union Gen. John C. Fremont instituted martial law in Missouri and declared slaves there to be free. (However, Fremont's order was countermanded days later by President Abraham Lincoln).

In 1862, Union forces were defeated by the Confederates at the Second Battle of Bull Run in Manassas, Va.

In 1905, Ty Cobb made his major-league debut as a player for the Detroit Tigers, hitting a double in his first at-bat in a game against the New York Highlanders. (The Tigers won, 5-3.)

In 1935, the film "Anna Karenina," starring Greta Garbo, opened in New York.

In 1945, Gen. Douglas MacArthur arrived in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters.

In 1963, the "Hot Line" communications link between Washington and Moscow went into operation.

In 1967, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Thurgood Marshall as the first black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1983, Guion S. Bluford, Jr. became the first black American astronaut to travel in space as he blasted off aboard the Challenger.

In 1991, Azerbaijan (ah-zur-by-JAHN') declared its independence, joining the stampede of republics seeking to secede from the Soviet Union.

Ten years ago: During a visit to Colombia, President Bill Clinton delivered a $1.3 billion aid package which he said would help the South American country defeat its drug traffickers.

Five years ago: A day after Hurricane Katrina hit, floods were covering 80 percent of New Orleans, looting continued to spread, and rescuers in helicopters and boats picked up hundreds of stranded people.

One year ago: Japanese voters ousted the country's conservatives after more than a half century of rule and put the untested Democratic Party of Japan in control. The space shuttle Discovery docked at the international space station, delivering a full load of gear and science experiments. Chula Vista, Calif. came up big late to win the Little League World Series, defeating Taoyuan, Taiwan, 6-3.

Today's birthdays: Country singer Kitty Wells is 91. Opera singer Regina Resnik is 88. Actor Bill Daily is 83. Actress Elizabeth Ashley is 71. Actor Ben Jones is 69. Cartoonist R. Crumb is 67. Olympic gold medal skier Jean-Claude Killy is 67. Actress Peggy Lipton is 63. Comedian Lewis Black is 62. Actor Timothy Bottoms is 59. Actor David Paymer is 56. Jazz musician Gerald Albright is 53. Actor Michael Chiklis is 47. Music producer Robert Clivilles is 46. Actress Michael Michele is 44. Country musician Geoff Firebaugh is 42. Country singer Sherrie Austin is 39. Rock singer-musician Lars Frederiksen (Rancid) is 39. Actress Cameron Diaz is 38. Rock musician Leon Caffrey (Space) is 37. TV personality Lisa Ling is 37. Rock singer-musician Aaron Barrett (Reel Big Fish) is 36. Singer Rich Cronin (LFO) is 35. Rock musician Matt Taul (Tantric; Days of the New) is 32. Tennis player Andy Roddick is 28. Rock musician Ryan Ross is 24. Actor Cameron Finley is 23.

Thought for today: "It is easier to live through someone else than to become complete yourself." -- Betty Friedan, American feminist and author (1921-2006)

[Associated Press]

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