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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, Upper Peru became the autonomous republic of Bolivia.
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 1926, Gertrude Ederle of New York became the first 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 B. 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 7 artificial heart.
In 1997, Korean Air Flight 801 crashed into a hillside a short distance from Guam International Airport, killing 228 of the 254 aboard the Boeing 747.
Ten years ago: Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky spent 8 1/2 hours testifying before a grand jury about her relationship with President Clinton. The House Government Reform and Oversight Committee voted to cite Attorney General Janet Reno for contempt of Congress for her refusal to turn over reports recommending that she seek an independent counsel to investigate campaign fundraising.
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Five years ago: Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger used an appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to announce his successful bid to replace California Gov. Gray Davis. The same day, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante said he was entering the recall race as well. Israel freed 334 Palestinian prisoners in a bid to jump-start peace efforts -- but the gesture fell flat among Palestinians. Record-breaking heat, already blamed for three dozen deaths, continued to torment Europe.
One year ago: The Crandall Canyon Mine in central Utah collapsed, trapping six coal miners. (All six miners died, along with three would-be rescuers.) President Bush wrapped up two days of talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at Camp David. Baron Elie Robert de Rothschild, who helped France's Rothschild winemaking and banking dynasty recover from the ravages of World War II, died near Scharnitz, Austria, at age 90.
Today's birthdays: Actress-singer Abbey Lincoln is 78. Jazz musician Charlie Haden is 71. Actor-director Peter Bonerz is 70. Actor Michael Anderson Junior is 65. Actor Dorian Harewood is 58. Actress Catherine Hicks is 57. Rock singer Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3) is 56. Country musician Mark DuFresne (Confederate Railroad) is 55. Actress Stepfanie Kramer is 52. Actress Faith Prince is 51. Rhythm-and-blues singer Randy DeBarge is 50. Actor Leland Orser is 48. Country singers Peggy and Patsy Lynn are 44. Actor Jeremy Ratchford is 43. Country singer Lisa Stewart is 40. Movie writer-director M. Night Shyamalan is 38. Actress Merrin Dungey is 37. Singer Geri Halliwell is 36. Singer-actor David Campbell is 35. Actress Vera Farmiga is 35. Actress Ever Carradine is 34. Actress Soleil Moon Frye is 32. Rock singer Travis McCoy (Gym Class Heroes) is 27. Rock musician Eric Roberts (Gym Class Heroes) is 24.
Thought for today: "An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't."
-- Anatole France, French author (1844-1924)
[Associated Press]
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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