This day in history

[August 26, 2008]  (AP)  Today is Tuesday, Aug. 26, the 239th day of 2008. There are 127 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Aug. 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing American women the right to vote, was certified in effect by Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby.

On this date:

In 55 B.C., Roman forces under Julius Caesar invaded Britain, but achieved limited success.

In 1883, the island volcano Krakatoa began cataclysmic eruptions, leading to a massive explosion the following day.

In 1936, the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, calling for most British troops to leave Egypt, was signed in Montreux, Switzerland. (It was abrogated by Egypt in 1951).

In 1958, Alaskans went to the polls to overwhelmingly vote in favor of statehood.

In 1961, the original Hockey Hall of Fame was opened in Toronto.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson was nominated for a term of office in his own right at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, N.J.

In 1968, the Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago.

In 1972, the summer Olympics opened in Munich, West Germany.

In 1978, Cardinal Albino Luciani of Venice was elected the 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church following the death of Paul VI. The new pontiff took the name Pope John Paul I.

In 1986, in the so-called "preppie murder case," 18-year-old Jennifer Levin was found strangled in New York's Central Park; Robert Chambers later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served 15 years in prison.

Ten years ago: Attorney General Janet Reno reopened the investigation of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on two allegations of a conspiracy beyond James Earl Ray. (A Justice Department investigation later rejected allegations that conspirators had aided or framed James Earl Ray in King's assassination.) Hurricane Bonnie drifted ashore in North Carolina and began creeping up the coast, packing heavy rains and high winds.

Five years ago: In the face of criticism, President Bush defended his handling of the war and reconstruction of Iraq, telling an American Legion conference in St. Louis the fight was essential to the U.S. campaign against terrorism. Investigators concluded that NASA's overconfident management and inattention to safety doomed the space shuttle Columbia as much as damage to the craft.

One year ago: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki lashed out at American critics, saying Sen. Hillary Clinton and other Democrats who had called for his ouster should "come to their senses." The $95 million Hawaii Superferry made its maiden run from Oahu to Maui, the first passenger ferry service between the islands. Warner Robins, Ga., won the Little League World Series title with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tokyo.

Today's birthdays: Former Washington Post Executive Editor Benjamin C. Bradlee is 87. Former Democratic vice-presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro is 73. Singer Vic Dana is 66. Rhythm-and-blues singer Valerie Simpson is 62. Pop singer Bob Cowsill is 59. Actor Brett Cullen is 52. Jazz musician Branford Marsalis is 48. Country musician Jimmy Olander (Diamond Rio) is 47. Actor Chris Burke is 43. Rock singer Shirley Manson (Garbage) is 42. Rock musician Dan Vickrey (Counting Crowes) is 42. TV writer-actress Riley Weston is 42. Rock musician Adrian Young (No Doubt) is 39. Actress Melissa McCarthy is 38. Latin pop singer Thalia is 37. Actor Macaulay Culkin is 28. Actor Chris Pine is 28. Rhythm-and-blues singer Cassie Ventura is 22. Actress Keke Palmer is 15.

Thought for today: "Nothing has really happened until it has been recorded." -- Virginia Woolf, English author and critic (1882-1941)

[Associated Press]

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