This day in history

[July 05, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Monday, July 5, the 186th day of 2010. There are 179 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On July 5, 1810, American showman and promoter (as well as author and politician) Phineas T. Barnum was born in Bethel, Conn.

On this date:

In 1811, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.

In 1830, France occupied the North African city of Algiers.

In 1865, William Booth founded the Salvation Army in London.

In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act.

In 1940, during World War II, Britain and the Vichy government in France broke off diplomatic relations.

In 1946, the bikini, designed by Louis Reard (ray-AHRD') and worn by Micheline Bernardini, made its public debut during a poolside fashion show in Paris.

In 1947, Larry Doby made his debut with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first black player in the American League.

In 1948, Britain's National Health Service Act went into effect, providing government-financed medical and dental care.

In 1975, Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win a Wimbledon singles title as he defeated Jimmy Connors.

In 1984, the Supreme Court weakened the 70-year-old "exclusionary rule," deciding that evidence seized in good faith with defective court warrants could be used against defendants in criminal trials.

Ten years ago: At the United Nations, President Bill Clinton signed an international agreement to ban the forcible recruitment of youths as soldiers in armed conflict, and a companion accord to protect children from being forced into slavery, prostitution and pornography. The U.N. Security Council imposed a diamond ban on Sierra Leone's rebels in a bid to strangle their ability to finance a civil war.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush thanked Iraq war ally Denmark during a stopover in Copenhagen while en route to an international economic summit in Scotland. Hurricane Cindy moved ashore, pelting the Louisiana coast with sideways rain and intermittent squalls. Retired Vice Adm. and war hero James Stockdale, Ross Perot's 1992 presidential running mate, died in Coronado, Calif. at age 81.

One year ago: A bankruptcy judge ruled that General Motors Corp. could sell the bulk of its assets to a new company, clearing the way for the automaker to emerge from bankruptcy protection. Riots and street battles killed nearly 200 people in China's western Xinjiang province in the deadliest ethnic unrest to hit the region in decades. Roger Federer won his record 15th Grand Slam title when he outlasted Andy Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 in a marathon match for his sixth Wimbledon championship.

Today's birthdays: Actress Katherine Helmond is 81. Actress Shirley Knight is 74. Singer-musician Robbie Robertson is 67. Julie Nixon Eisenhower is 62. Rock star Huey Lewis is 60. Baseball Hall-of-Fame pitcher Rich "Goose" Gossage is 59. Country musician Charles Ventre is 58. Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn is 51. Actress Edie Falco is 47. Actress Kathryn Erbe (er-BEE') is 45. Actor Michael Stuhlbarg (STOOL'-bahrg) is 42. Country musician Brent Flynn (Flynnville Train) is 41. Rapper RZA (RIH'-zuh) is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Joe is 37. Rock musician Bengt Lagerberg (The Cardigans) is 37. Actor Dale Godboldo is 35. Rapper Bizarre is 34. Rock singer Jason Wade (Lifehouse) is 30. Actor Ryan Hansen is 29. Country musician Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum) is 28. Rock musician Nick O'Malley (Arctic Monkeys) is 25. Actor Jason Dolley is 19.

Thought for today: "Without promotion something terrible happens: Nothing!" -- P.T. Barnum, American showman (1810-1891)

[Associated Press]

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