This day in history

[June 14, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Monday, June 14, the 165th day of 2010. There are 200 days left in the year. This is Flag Day.

Today's highlight in history:

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag.

On this date:

In 1775, the Continental Army, forerunner of the United States Army, was created.

In 1801, former American Revolutionary War General and notorious turncoat Benedict Arnold died in London.

In 1846, a group of U.S. settlers in Sonoma proclaimed the Republic of California.

In 1919, John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown embarked on the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. (Flying a Vickers Vimy biplane bomber, they took off from St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada and arrived 16 1/2 hours later in Clifden, Ireland.)

In 1940, German troops entered Paris during World War II; the same day, the Nazis began transporting prisoners to the Auschwitz (OWSH'-vitz) concentration camp in German-occupied Poland.

In 1943, the Supreme Court, in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, ruled that children in public schools could not be forced to salute the flag of the United States.

In 1954, the words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.

In 1967, the space probe Mariner 5 was launched from Cape Kennedy on a flight that took it past Venus.

In 1985, the 17-day hijack ordeal of TWA Flight 847 began as a pair of Lebanese Shiite (SHEE'-eyet) Muslim extremists seized the jetliner shortly after takeoff from Athens, Greece.

In 1990, the Supreme Court upheld, 6-3, police checkpoints that examine drivers for signs of intoxication.

Ten years ago: In the biggest step toward peace since the end of fighting in the Korean War, the leaders of North and South Korea signed an agreement pledging to work for reconciliation and eventual reunification. The Southern Baptist Convention declared that women should no longer serve as pastors.

Five years ago: U.S. Army deserter Charles Jenkins, who'd crossed into North Korea in 1965, arrived in the United States for his first visit in 40 years. Michelle Wie became the first female player to qualify for an adult male U.S. Golf Association championship, tying for first place in a 36-hole U.S. Amateur Public Links sectional qualifying tournament.

One year ago: The Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th championship, beating the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 of the NBA finals. Anna Nordqvist shot a 4-under par 68 to become the second straight rookie to win the LPGA Championship. Bob Bogle, 75, lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band The Ventures, died in Vancouver, Washington.

Today's birthdays: Actress Marla Gibbs is 79. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is 71. Writer Peter Mayle is 71. Actor Jack Bannon is 70. Country-rock musician Spooner Oldham (Drive-By Truckers) is 67. Rock singer Rod Argent (The Zombies; Argent) is 65. Real estate mogul and TV personality Donald Trump is 64. Singer Janet Lennon (The Lennon Sisters) is 64. Rock musician Barry Melton is 63. Rock musician Alan White (Yes) is 61. Actor Eddie Mekka is 58. Actor Will Patton is 56. Olympic gold-medal speed skater Eric Heiden (HY'-dun) is 52. Singer Boy George is 49. Rock musician Chris DeGarmo is 47. Actress Yasmine Bleeth is 42. Actor Faizon Love is 42. Tennis player Steffi Graf is 41. Actress Traylor Howard is 39. Screenwriter Diablo Cody (Film: "Juno") is 32. Actor-singer Kevin McHale (TV: "Glee") is 22. Actor Daryl Sabara is 18.

Thought for today: "The flag is the embodiment not of sentiment, but of history." -- President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924)

[Associated Press]

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