This day in history

[November 10, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Wednesday, Nov. 10, the 314th day of 2010. There are 51 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Nov. 10, 1775, the U.S. Marines were organized under authority of the Continental Congress.

On this date:

In 1871, journalist-explorer Henry M. Stanley found Scottish missionary David Livingstone, who had not been heard from for years, near Lake Tanganyika in central Africa.

In 1917, 41 suffragists were arrested for picketing in front of the White House.

In 1919, the American Legion opened its first national convention, in Minneapolis.

In 1928, Japanese Emperor Hirohito (hee-roh-hee-toh) was formally enthroned, almost two years after his ascension.

In 1938, Kate Smith first sang Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" on her CBS radio program. Turkish statesman Mustafa Kemal Ataturk died in Istanbul at age 57.

In 1954, the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, depicting the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima in 1945, was dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Arlington, Va.

In 1969, the children's educational program "Sesame Street" made its debut on National Educational Television (later PBS).

In 1975, the ore-hauling ship SS Edmund Fitzgerald and its crew of 29 mysteriously sank during a storm in Lake Superior with the loss of all on board.

In 1980, Poland's Solidarity labor movement was registered by the country's Supreme Court.

In 1982, Soviet leader Leonid I. Brezhnev died at age 75.

Ten years ago: The battle over Florida's disputed presidential election continued, with George W. Bush's camp pressing Al Gore to concede without pursuing multiple recounts, and Democrats pressing ahead with protests, determined to find enough votes to erase Bush's razor-thin lead in initial counting.

Five years ago: A suicide bomber killed some three dozen people at a Baghdad restaurant frequented by police. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, a former finance minister of Liberia, claimed victory in the country's presidential election. Chris Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals won the National League Cy Young Award.

One year ago: John Allen Muhammad, mastermind of the 2002 sniper attacks that killed 10 in the Washington, D.C. region, was executed. President Barack Obama visited Fort Hood, Texas, where he somberly saluted the 13 Americans killed in a shooting rampage, and pledged that the killer would be "met with justice -- in this world, and the next."

Today's birthdays: Actor Russell Johnson is 86. Film composer Ennio Morricone (EHN'-yoh mor-ee-KOHN'-eh) is 82. Blues singer Bobby Rush is 76. Actor Albert Hall is 73. American Indian activist Russell Means is 71. Country singer Donna Fargo is 69. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) is 67. Lyricist Tim Rice is 66. Rock singer-musician Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake and Palmer) is 63. Actress-dancer Ann Reinking is 61. Actor Jack Scalia is 60. Movie director Roland Emmerich is 55. Actor Matt Craven is 54. Actor-comedian Sinbad is 54. Actress Mackenzie Phillips is 51. Author Neil Gaiman (GAY'-mihn) is 50. Actress Vanessa Angel is 47. Actor-comedian Tommy Davidson is 47. Actor Michael Jai (jy) White is 46. Country singer Chris Cagle is 42. Actor-comedian Tracy Morgan is 42. Actress Ellen Pompeo (pahm-PAY'-oh) ("Grey's Anatomy") is 41. Rapper-producer Warren G is 40. Comedian-actor Chris Lilley is 36. Rock singer-musician Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World) is 35. Rapper Eve is 32. Rock musician Chris Joannou (joh-AN'-yoo)(Silverchair) is 31. Actor Bryan Neal is 30. Actress Heather Matarazzo is 28. Country singer Miranda Lambert is 27. Actor Josh Peck is 24.

Thought for today: "It is a stupidity second to none, to busy oneself with the correction of the world." -- Moliere, French dramatist (1622-1673)

[Associated Press]

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