This day in history

[November 15, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Monday, Nov. 15, the 319th day of 2010. There are 46 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Nov. 15, 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation, a precursor to the Constitution of the United States.

On this date:

In 1806, explorer Zebulon Pike sighted the mountaintop now known as Pikes Peak in present-day Colorado.

In 1889, Brazil was proclaimed a republic as its emperor, Dom Pedro II, was overthrown.

In 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was established as its new president, Manuel L. Quezon, took office.

In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.

In 1948, William Lyon Mackenzie King retired as prime minister of Canada after 21 years; he was succeeded by Louis St. Laurent.

In 1959, four members of the Clutter family of Holcomb, Kan. were found murdered in their home. (Ex-convicts Richard Hickock and Perry Smith were later convicted of the killings and hanged.)

In 1966, the flight of Gemini 12 ended successfully as astronauts James A. Lovell and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. splashed down safely in the Atlantic.

In 1969, a quarter of a million protesters staged a peaceful demonstration in Washington against the Vietnam War.

In 1979, the British government publicly identified Sir Anthony Blunt as the "fourth man" of a Soviet spy ring.

In 1985, Britain and Ireland signed an accord giving Dublin an official consultative role in governing Northern Ireland.

Ten years ago: Democrat Al Gore made a surprise proposal for a statewide hand recount of Florida's 6 million ballots -- an idea immediately rejected by Republican George W. Bush. A man who'd stabbed George Harrison because he believed he was possessed by the former Beatle was ordered confined to a mental hospital after being acquitted in Oxford, England, of attempted murder by reason of insanity. (Michael Abram was ordered released in July 2002.)

Five years ago: Israel and the Palestinians, under strong U.S. pressure, reached an agreement to open Gaza's borders. Baseball players and owners agreed on a tougher steroids-testing policy. Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals won the National League MVP award. At the CMA Awards, Lee Ann Womack won three trophies, including album of the year for "There's More Where That Came From."

One year ago: President Barack Obama concluded a two-day summit with Asia-Pacific leaders in Singapore, where they pledged to persist with stimulus spending until a global recovery was assured. Kosovo's first independent elections ended peacefully, with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci (HAH'-shihm THAH'-chee) claiming victory for his party. Michelle Wie earned her first win on the LPGA Tour, closing with a 3-under 69 to finish two strokes ahead of Paula Creamer in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Today's birthdays: Judge Joseph Wapner is 91. Statesman Howard H. Baker Jr. is 85. Actor Ed Asner is 81. Actor John Kerr is 79. Singer Petula Clark is 78. Comedian Jack Burns is 77. Actress Joanna Barnes is 76. Actor Yaphet Kotto is 71. Actor Sam Waterston is 70. Classical conductor Daniel Barenboim is 68. Pop singer Frida (ABBA) is 65. Actor Bob Gunton is 65. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is 63. Director-actor James Widdoes is 57. Rock singer-producer Mitch Easter is 56. CNN anchor-reporter John Roberts is 54. Former "Jay Leno Show" bandleader Kevin Eubanks is 53. Comedian Judy Gold is 48. Actress Rachel True is 44. Rapper E-40 is 43. Country singer Jack Ingram is 40. Actor Jay Harrington is 39. Actor Jonny Lee Miller is 38. Actress Sydney Tamiia (tuh-MY'-yuh) Poitier is 37. Christian rock musician David Carr (Third Day) is 36. Rock singer-musician Chad Kroeger is 36. Rock musician Jesse Sandoval is 36. Actress Virginie Ledoyen is 34. Actor Sean Murray (TV: "NCIS") is 33. Pop singer Ace Young (TV: "American Idol") is 30. Golfer Lorena Ochoa is 29. Actress Shailene Woodley is 19.

Thought for today: "My father used to say superior people never make long visits." -- Marianne Moore, American poet (1887-1972)

[Associated Press]

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