 Today's highlight in history:
On Feb. 10, 1962, the Soviet Union exchanged captured American U-2
pilot Francis Gary Powers for Rudolf Abel, a Soviet spy held by the
United States.
On this date:
In 1763, Britain, Spain and France signed the Treaty of Paris,
ending the Seven Years' War.
In 1840, Britain's Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
In 1841, Upper Canada and Lower Canada were proclaimed united under
an Act of Union passed by the British Parliament.
In 1912, Joseph Lister, the "Father of Antiseptic Surgery," died in
Walmer, Kent, England, at age 84.
In 1942, the former French liner Normandie capsized in New York
Harbor a day after it caught fire while being refitted for the U.S.
Navy. RCA Victor presented Glenn Miller and his Orchestra with a
"gold record" for their recording of "Chattanooga Choo Choo," which
had sold more than 1 million copies.
In 1949, Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" opened at
Broadway's Morosco Theater with Lee J. Cobb as Willy Loman.
In 1962, Republican George W. Romney announced his ultimately
successful candidacy for governor of Michigan.
In 1967, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, dealing with
presidential disability and succession, was ratified as Minnesota
and Nevada adopted it.
In 1968, U.S. figure skater Peggy Fleming won America's only gold
medal of the Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France.
In 1981, eight people were killed when a fire set by a busboy broke
out at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel-casino.
In 1992, boxer Mike Tyson was convicted in Indianapolis of raping
Desiree Washington, a Miss Black America contestant. (Tyson served
three years in prison.) Author Alex Haley died in Seattle at age 70.
In 2005, playwright Arthur Miller died in Roxbury, Conn., at age 89
on the 56th anniversary of the Broadway opening of his "Death of a
Salesman."
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Ten years ago: Snowboarder Kelly Clark won America's first
gold at the Salt Lake City Olympics in women's halfpipe. Claudia
Pechstein (PEH'-shtyn) of Germany shattered her own world record in
the 3,000-meter speedskating event, crossing the line in 3:57.70.
The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 135-120, in
the NBA All-Star Game. Former U.N. ambassador Vernon A. Walters died
in West Palm Beach, Fla., at age 85. Convict-author Jack Henry
Abbott committed suicide in his cell; he was 58.
Five years ago: Less than a month after launching his
presidential bid online, Democrat Barack Obama announced his
candidacy in person, telling thousands outside the Illinois state
capital in Springfield: "Let us transform this nation." Gen. David
Petraeus took charge of U.S. forces in Iraq. The AFC defeated the
NFC 31-28 in the Pro Bowl.
One year ago: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refused to
step down or leave the country and instead handed his powers to his
vice president, stunning protesters in central Cairo who waved their
shoes in contempt and shouted, "Leave, leave, leave." (Mubarak
resigned the next day.)
Today's birthdays: Opera singer Leontyne Price is 85. Actor
Robert Wagner is 82. Rock musician Don Wilson (The Ventures) is 79.
Singer Roberta Flack is 75. Singer Jimmy Merchant (Frankie Lymon and
the Teenagers) is 72. Rock musician Bob Spalding (The Ventures) is
65. Olympic gold-medal swimmer Mark Spitz is 62. Walt Disney Co.
president and chief executive Robert Iger is 61. World Golf Hall of
Famer Greg Norman is 57. Actress Kathleen Beller is 56. Country
singer Lionel Cartwright is 52. Movie director Alexander Payne is
51. ABC News correspondent George Stephanopoulos is 51. Political
commentator Glenn Beck is 48. Actress Laura Dern is 45. Country
singer Dude Mowrey is 40. Actress Elizabeth Banks is 38. Pop singer
Rosanna Taverez (Eden's Crush) is 35. Actress Julia Pace Mitchell is
34. Country musician Jeremy Baxter (Carolina Rain) is 32. Rock
singer Eric Dill is 30. Rock musician Ben Romans (The Click Five) is
30. Actress Emma Roberts is 21. Actress Makenzie Vega is 18. Actress
Chloe Grace Moretz is 15.
Thought for today: "People, even more than things, have to be
restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out
anyone." -- Audrey Hepburn, Belgian-born British actress
(1929-1993)
[Associated Press]
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