This day in history

[July 01, 2008]  (AP)  Today is Tuesday, July 1, the 183rd day of 2008. There are 183 days left in the year. This is Canada Day.

Today's highlight in history:

On July 1, 1946, the United States exploded a 20-kiloton atomic bomb near Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.

On this date:

In 1863, the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, resulting in a Union victory, began in Pennsylvania.

In 1867, Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain as the British North America Act took effect.

In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, U.S. forces, including Theodore Roosevelt's "Rough Riders," waged a victorious assault on San Juan Hill in Cuba.

In 1948, New York International Airport (now John F. Kennedy International Airport) at Idlewild began operations.

In 1948, the fare on New York City subways doubled from a nickel to 10 cents.

In 1968, the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union and nearly 60 other nations signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

In 1980, "O Canada" was proclaimed the national anthem of Canada.

In 1987, President Reagan nominated federal appeals court judge Robert H. Bork to the Supreme Court, setting off a tempestuous confirmation process that ended with Bork's rejection by the Senate.

In 1991, President Bush nominated federal appeals court judge Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, beginning an ultimately successful confirmation process marked by allegations of sexual harassment.

In 1997, Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule after 156 years as a British colony.

Ten years ago: Speaking in Shanghai, President Clinton urged his Chinese hosts to open markets, battle corruption and clean up the environment.

Five years ago: At a summit, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas rededicated themselves to peace efforts and spoke of a shared future for their peoples. Bishop Sean O'Malley was named by Pope John Paul the new archbishop of Boston, succeeding Cardinal Bernard Law, who'd resigned in the wake of a clerical sex abuse scandal. Jazz flutist Herbie Mann died in Pecos, N.M., at age 73.

One year ago: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kennebunkport, Maine, for an overnight visit at the Bush family estate and talks with President Bush. Princes William and Harry celebrated the life of their mother, Princess Diana, on what would have been her 46th birthday with a concert they'd organized at London's Wembley Stadium. Golfer Cristie Kerr won the U.S. Women's Open.

Today's birthdays: Actress Olivia de Havilland is 92. Actor Farley Granger is 83. Actress-dancer Leslie Caron is 77. Actress Jean Marsh is 74. Movie producer-director Claude Berri is 74. Actor Jamie Farr is 74. Bluesman James Cotton is 73. Actor David Prowse is 73. Cookie maker Wally Amos is 72. Actress Karen Black is 69. Singer-musician Delaney Bramlett is 69. Dancer-choreographer Twyla Tharp is 67. Actress Genevieve Bujold is 66. Gospel singer Andrae Crouch is 66. Rock singer-actress Deborah Harry is 63. Movie-TV producer-director Michael Pressman is 58. Rock singer Fred Schneider (B-52's) is 57. Actor Daryl Anderson is 57. Actor Trevor Eve is 57. Actor-comedian Dan Aykroyd is 56. Actor Alan Ruck is 52. Actress Lisa Blount is 51. Rhythm-and-blues singer Evelyn "Champagne" King is 48. Olympic gold medal track star Carl Lewis is 47. Country singer Michelle Wright is 47. Actor Andre Braugher is 46. Actress Pamela Anderson is 41. Rock musician Mark Pirro is 38. Rock musician Franny Griffiths (Space) is 38. Actor Henry Simmons is 38. Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott is 37. Actress Julianne Nicholson is 37. Actress Liv Tyler is 31. Actress Hilarie Burton is 26. Actress Lynsey Bartilson is 25. Actor Evan Ellingson is 20. Actors Stephen and Andrew Cavarno are 16.

Thought for today: "The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there." -- L.P. Hartley, British author (1895-1972)

[Associated Press]

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