This day in history

[December 12, 2008]  (AP)  Today is Friday, Dec. 12, the 347th day of 2008. There are 19 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Dec. 12, 2000, George W. Bush was transformed into the president-elect as a divided U.S. Supreme Court reversed a state court decision for recounts in Florida's contested election.

On this date:

In 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

In 1870, Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina became the first black lawmaker sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1897, "The Katzenjammer Kids," the pioneering comic strip created by Rudolph Dirks, made its debut in the New York Journal.

In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt nominated Oscar Straus to be Secretary of Commerce and Labor; Straus became the first Jewish Cabinet member.

In 1917, Father Edward Flanagan founded Boys Town outside Omaha, Neb.

In 1925, the first motel - the Motel Inn - opened in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

In 1937, Japanese aircraft sank the U.S. gunboat Panay on China's Yangtze River. (Japan apologized, and paid $2.2 million in reparations.)

In 1963, Kenya gained its independence from Britain.

In 1985, 248 American soldiers and eight crew members were killed when an Arrow Air charter crashed after takeoff from Gander, Newfoundland.

In 1988, 35 people were killed in a triple train collision during morning rush-hour in south London.

Ten years ago: The House Judiciary Committee approved a fourth and final article of impeachment, this one accusing President Bill Clinton of abuse of power. President Clinton began a three-day visit to the Middle East aimed at rescuing the Wye River peace accords. Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles died in Tallahassee at age 68. Former U.S. Rep. Morris K. Udall died in Washington, D.C., at age 76.

Five years ago: Paul Martin succeeded Jean Chretien as Canada's prime minister. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger was knighted by Britain. Keiko, the killer whale made famous by the "Free Willy" movies, died in the Norwegian fjord that he'd made his home.

One year ago: Republican presidential rivals gathered in Johnston, Iowa, called for deep cuts in federal spending in a debate remarkably free of acrimony. President George W. Bush vetoed a second bill that would have expanded government-provided health insurance for children. Three car bombs explode in the southern Shiite city of Amarah, Iraq, killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens. Ike Turner, the rock pioneer and ex-husband of Tina Turner, died in San Marcos, Calif., at age 76.

Today's birthdays: TV host Bob Barker is 85. Former New York City Mayor Edward Koch is 84. Singer Connie Francis is 70. Singer Dionne Warwick is 68. Rock singer-musician Dickey Betts is 65. Actor Wings Hauser is 61. Actor Bill Nighy is 59. Actor Duane Chase (Film: "The Sound of Music") is 58. Country singer LaCosta is 58. Gymnast-turned-actress Cathy Rigby is 56. Author Lorna Landvik is 54. Singer-musician Sheila E. is 51. Actress Sheree J. Wilson is 50. Pop singer Daniel O'Donnell is 47. Rock musician Eric Schenkman (Spin Doctors) is 45. Rock musician Nicholas Dimichino (Nine Days) is 41. News anchor Maggie Rodriguez is 39. Actress Jennifer Connelly is 38. Actress Madchen Amick is 38. Country singer Hank Williams III is 36. Actress Mayim Bialik is 33. Model Bridget Hall is 31.

Thought for today: "I have never known a man who died from overwork, but many who died from doubt." -- Charles Horace Mayo, American surgeon and co-founder of the Mayo Clinic (1865-1939)

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.