This day in history

[January 19, 2011]  (AP)  Today is Wednesday, Jan. 19, the 19th day of 2011. There are 346 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Jan. 19, 1861, Georgia became the fifth state to secede from the Union as delegates to a special convention in Milledgeville (MIHL'-ihj-vihl) (then the capital) voted 208-89 for separation.

On this date:

In 1807, Confederate general Robert E. Lee was born in Westmoreland County, Va.

In 1853, Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Il Trovatore" premiered in Rome.

In 1937, millionaire Howard Hughes set a transcontinental air record by flying his monoplane from Los Angeles to Newark, N.J., in 7 hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds.

In 1944, the federal government relinquished control of the nation's railroads following settlement of a wage dispute.

In 1955, a presidential news conference was filmed for television for the first time, with the permission of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In 1960, the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America was signed by both countries in Washington, D.C.

In 1966, Indira Gandhi was elected prime minister of India.

In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon nominated G. Harrold Carswell to the Supreme Court; however, the nomination was defeated because of controversy over Carswell's past racial views.

In 1980, retired Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas died in Washington, D.C., at age 81.

In 1981, the United States and Iran signed an accord paving the way for the release of 52 Americans held hostage for more than 14 months.

Ten years ago: In a deal sparing himself possible indictment, President Bill Clinton acknowledged for the first time making false statements under oath about Monica Lewinsky; he also surrendered his law license for five years. Former NFL player Rae Carruth (ray kuh-ROOTH') was acquitted of first-degree murder but convicted of conspiracy and two other charges in the fatal shooting of his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, in Charlotte, N.C. (Carruth was later sentenced to a minimum of 18 years, 11 months in prison and a maximum of 24 years, four months.)

Five years ago: Osama bin Laden, in an audiotape that was his first in more than a year, said al-Qaida was preparing for attacks in the United States; at the same time, he offered a "long-term truce" without specifying the conditions. Vice President Dick Cheney defended the administration's domestic surveillance program, calling it an essential tool in monitoring al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations. An unmanned NASA spacecraft blasted off on a 3-billion-mile journey to Pluto. A fire at a Massey Energy Co. mine in West Virginia killed two workers. Death claimed soul pioneer Wilson Pickett at age 64 and actor Anthony Franciosa at age 77.

One year ago: In a major upset, Republican Scott Brown captured the U.S. Senate seat held by liberal champion Edward Kennedy for nearly half a century as he defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in a special election. Eight people were shot to death in Appomattox, Va.; suspect Christopher Speight (spayt) is charged with capital murder. Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was slain at a posh airport hotel in Dubai (officials in Dubai have accused Israel of carrying out the killing).

Today's birthdays: Former U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar is 91. Actress Jean Stapleton is 88. Actor Fritz Weaver is 85. Actress Tippi Hedren is 81. Former PBS newsman Robert MacNeil is 80. Movie director Richard Lester is 79. Singer Phil Everly is 72. Actor-singer Michael Crawford is 69. Actress Shelley Fabares is 67. Country singer Dolly Parton is 65. ABC newswoman Ann Compton is 64. TV chef Paula Deen is 64. Rock singer Martha Davis is 60. Singer Dewey Bunnell (America) is 59. Actor Desi Arnaz, Jr. is 58. Comedian Paul Rodriguez is 56. Conductor Sir Simon Rattle is 56. Actress Katey Sagal is 54. Reggae musician Mickey Virtue (UB40) is 54. Rock musician Jeff Pilson (Foreigner) is 53. Actor Paul McCrane is 50. Actor William Ragsdale is 50. International Tennis Hall of Famer Stefan Edberg is 45. Rock singer Whitfield Crane (Ugly Kid Joe) is 43. Singer Trey Lorenz is 42. Actor Shawn Wayans is 40. Rock singer-musician John Wozniak (Marcy Playground) is 40. Actress Drea (DRAY-uh') de Matteo is 39. Comedian-impressionist Frank Caliendo is 37. Actress Marsha Thomason is 35. Actress Jodie Sweetin is 29. Actor Logan Lerman is 19. Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson is 19.

Thought for today: "Life is a foreign language; all men mispronounce it." -- Christopher Darlington Morley, American journalist (1890-1957)

[Associated Press]

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