This day in history

[May 08, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Saturday, May 8, the 128th day of 2010. There are 237 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On May 8, 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced in a radio address that Nazi Germany's forces had surrendered in World War II, and that "the flags of freedom fly all over Europe."

On this date:

In 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River.

In 1794, Antoine Lavoisier (lah-vwahz-YAY'), the father of modern chemistry, was executed on the guillotine during France's Reign of Terror.

In 1846, the first major battle of the Mexican-American War was fought at Palo Alto, Texas; U.S. forces led by Gen. Zachary Taylor were able to beat back the Mexican forces.

In 1884, the 33rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman, was born in Lamar, Mo.

In 1958, Vice President Richard Nixon was shoved, stoned, booed and spat upon by anti-American protesters in Lima, Peru.

In 1962, the musical comedy "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" opened on Broadway.

In 1970, antiwar protests took place across the United States and around the world; in New York, construction workers broke up a demonstration on Wall Street.

In 1973, militant American Indians who'd held the South Dakota hamlet of Wounded Knee for ten weeks surrendered.

In 1978, David R. Berkowitz pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn courtroom to murder, attempted murder and assault in connection with the "Son of Sam" shootings that had terrified New Yorkers.

In 1984, the Soviet Union announced it would boycott the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Ten years ago: The remains of Cardinal John O'Connor were entombed inside New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral after a funeral Mass that drew thousands of mourners, including President Bill Clinton. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to ban discrimination based on weight or height.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin, meeting in Moscow, went out of their way to take a unified stand on Middle East peace and terrorism after sharp words in recent days about democratic backsliding and postwar Soviet domination. Steve Nash edged Shaquille O'Neal by 34 points to win the NBA's most valuable player award. Lloyd Cutler, White House counsel to Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and adviser to presidents of both parties, died at his Washington home at age 87.

One year ago: White House aide Louis Caldera resigned for his role in Air Force One's $328,835 photo-op flyover above New York City that sparked panic and flashbacks to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Dominic DiMaggio, the Boston Red Sox center fielder and brother of Joe, died in Marion, Mass. at age 92.

Today's birthdays: Comedian Don Rickles is 84. Naturalist Sir David Attenborough is 84. Singer Toni Tennille is 70. Actor James Mitchum is 69. Country singer Jack Blanchard is 68. Jazz musician Keith Jarrett is 65. Singer Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind and Fire) is 59. Rock musician Chris Frantz (Talking Heads) is 59. Rockabilly singer Billy Burnette is 57. Rock musician Alex Van Halen is 57. Actor David Keith is 56. Actor Stephen Furst is 56. Actress Melissa Gilbert is 46. Rock musician Dave Rowntree (Blur) is 46. Country musician Del Gray is 42. Rock singer Darren Hayes is 38. Singer Enrique Iglesias is 35. Singer Ana Maria Lombo (Eden's Crush) is 32. Actress Julia Whelan (WAY'-lan) is 25.

Thought for today: "The biggest big business in America is not steel, automobiles or television. It is the manufacture, refinement and distribution of anxiety." -- Eric Sevareid, American news commentator (1912-1992)

[Associated Press]

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