This day in history

[September 11, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Saturday, Sept. 11, the 254th day of 2010. There are 111 days left in the year. This is Patriot Day.

Today's highlight in history:

On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed on America's worst day of terrorism. Hijackers seized four jetliners, two of which smashed into New York's World Trade Center, causing the twin towers to fall; one jetliner plowed into the Pentagon; and the fourth was crashed into a field in western Pennsylvania.

On this date:

In 1789, Alexander Hamilton was appointed the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

In 1814, an American fleet scored a decisive victory over the British in the Battle of Lake Champlain in the War of 1812.

In 1857, the Mountain Meadows Massacre took place in present-day southern Utah as a 120-member Arkansas immigrant party was slaughtered by Mormon militiamen aided by Paiute Indians.

In 1885, author D.H. Lawrence was born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, England.

In 1941, groundbreaking took place for the Pentagon, now headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense. In an address to an America First rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Charles A. Lindbergh charged that "the British, the Jewish and the Roosevelt administration" were pushing the United States toward war.

In 1954, the Miss America pageant made its network TV debut on ABC; Miss California, Lee Meriwether, was crowned the winner.

In 1960, the Rome Summer Olympics ended.

In 1970, Ford Motor Co. introduced the Pinto, a compact that would become caught up in controversy over the safety of its gas tank. (The Pinto was discontinued in 1980.)

In 1973, Chilean President Salvador Allende (ah-YEN'-day) died in a violent military coup.

In 1985, Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds cracked career hit number 4,192 off Eric Show (rhymes with "how") of the San Diego Padres, eclipsing the record held by Ty Cobb.

Ten years ago: A report released by the Federal Trade Commission said the movie, video game and music industries aggressively marketed to underage youths violent products that carried adult ratings, a finding rejected by entertainment producers.

Five years ago: Weeping relatives marked the fourth anniversary of 9/11 with prayers, solemn remembrances and heartfelt messages at the site where the World Trade Center collapsed. Japanese voters handed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's ruling coalition a landslide victory in elections for the lower house of parliament. Roger Federer blew away Andre Agassi 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-1 to capture a second straight U.S. Open and sixth Grand Slam title. Sportscaster Chris Schenkel died in Fort Wayne, Ind. at age 82.

One year ago: On his first 9/11 anniversary as president, Barack Obama urged Americans to come together in service just as they united after the terrorist attacks. Anti-abortion activist James Pouillon (PUHL'-yuhn) was shot to death near a high school in Owosso, Mich. (Harlan James Drake was convicted of first-degree murder in the killing of Pouillon and the owner of a gravel pit, Mike Fuoss, and sentenced to life in prison.) Death claimed Hollywood writer Larry Gelbart at age 81; poet and punk rocker Jim Carroll at age 60; and Gertrude Baines, recognized as the world's oldest person, at age 115.

Today's birthdays: Actress Betsy Drake is 87. Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) is 86. Actor Earl Holliman is 82. Newspaper columnist David S. Broder is 81. Movie director Brian De Palma is 70. Rock singer-musician Jack Ely (The Kingsmen) is 67. Rock musician Mickey Hart (The Dead) is 67. Singer-musician Leo Kottke is 65. Actor Phillip Alford is 62. Actress Amy Madigan is 60. Rock singer-musician Tommy Shaw (Styx) is 57. Sports reporter Lesley Visser is 57. Actor Reed Birney is 56. Singer-songwriter Diane Warren is 54. Musician Jon Moss (Culture Club) is 53. Actor Scott Patterson is 52. Rock musician Mick Talbot (The Style Council) is 52. Actress Roxann Dawson is 52. Actor John Hawkes is 51. Actress Anne Ramsay is 50. Actress Virginia Madsen is 49. Actress Kristy McNichol is 48. Musician-composer Moby is 45. Business reporter Maria Bartiromo is 43. Singer Harry Connick Jr. is 43. Rock musician Bart Van Der Zeeuw is 42. Actress Taraji (tuh-RAH'-jee) P. Henson is 40. Actress Laura Wright is 40. Rock musician Jeremy Popoff (Lit) is 39. Blogger Markos Moulitsas is 39. Singer Brad Fischetti (LFO) is 35. Rapper Mr. Black is 33. Rock musician Jon Buckland (Coldplay) is 33. Rapper Ludacris is 33. Rock singer Ben Lee is 32. Actor Ryan Slattery is 32. Actor Tyler Hoechlin (HEK'-lihn) is 23. Country singer Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum) is 29.

Thought for today: "This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." -- Elmer Davis, American news commentator (1890-1958)

[Associated Press]

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