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 Today's highlight in history:
On Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths in the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare.
On this date:
In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire went out of existence as Emperor Francis II abdicated.
In 1825, Bolivia proclaimed its independence from Peru.
In 1890, convicted murderer William Kemmler became the first person to be executed in the electric chair as he was put to death at Auburn State Prison in New York.
In 1890, Cy Young gained the first of his 511 major league victories as he pitched the Cleveland Spiders to a win over the Chicago Colts. (However, the score is a matter of dispute, with some sources saying 6-1, and others saying 8-1).
In 1926, Gertrude Ederle of New York became the first American woman to swim the English Channel, arriving in Kingsdown, England, from France in 14 1/2 hours.
In 1926, Warner Brothers premiered its Vitaphone sound-on-disc movie system in New York with a showing of "Don Juan" featuring music and sound effects.
In 1962, Jamaica became an independent dominion within the British Commonwealth.
In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act.
In 1978, Pope Paul VI died at Castel Gandolfo at age 80.
In 1986, William J. Schroeder died after living 620 days with the Jarvik VII artificial heart.
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Ten years ago: Korean Air Flight 801 crashed into a hillside a short distance from Guam International Airport, killing 228 of the 254 aboard the Boeing 747. Ending years of impassioned rivalry, Apple Computer and Microsoft agreed to share technology in a deal giving Microsoft a stake in Apple's survival.
Five years ago: One-year-old Guatemalan twins joined at the head were separated at the UCLA Medical Center. President George W. Bush signed legislation restoring to U.S. presidents broad authority in negotiating trade pacts.
One year ago: Oil giant BP announced an indefinite shutdown of the biggest oilfield in the U.S., at Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, after finding a pipeline leak (BP was able to maintain partial operations). Sherri Steinhauer shot an even-par 72 to win the Women's British Open for the third time, and the first since it became a major. Tiger Woods won his 50th PGA Tour title with a three-stroke victory over Jim Furyk in the Buick Open.
Today's birthdays: Actress-singer Abbey Lincoln is 77. Jazz musician Charlie Haden is 70. Actor-director Peter Bonerz is 69. Actor Michael Anderson Jr. is 64. Actor Dorian Harewood is 57. Actress Catherine Hicks is 56. Rock singer Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3) is 55. Country musician Mark DuFresne (Confederate Railroad) is 54. Actress Stepfanie Kramer is 51. Actress Faith Prince is 50. Rhythm-and-blues singer Randy DeBarge is 49. Country singers Patsy and Peggy Lynn are 43. Actor Jeremy Ratchford is 42. Country singer Lisa Stewart is 39. Movie writer-director M. Night Shyamalan is 37. Actress Merrin Dungey is 36. Singer Geri Halliwell is 35. Singer-actor David Campbell is 34. Actress Ever Carradine is 33. Actress Soleil Moon Frye is 31.
Thought for today: "There are philosophies which are unendurable not because men are cowards, but because they are men."
-- Ludwig Lewisohn, German-born novelist-critic (1883-1955).
[Associated
Press]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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