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Ten years ago: Gen. John Abizaid (AB'-ih-zayd), the top commander of coalition forces in Iraq, predicted that resistance to U.S. forces in Iraq would grow in coming months as progress was made in creating a new government to replace the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein. President George W. Bush welcomed Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi (behr-loos-KOH'-nee) to his Texas ranch for a two-day visit. Ben Curtis, an unknown PGA Tour rookie in his first major championship, won the British Open.
Five years ago: Pope Benedict XVI wrapped up a six-day World Youth Day Festival in Sydney, Australia, by challenging young people to shed the greed and cynicism of their time to create a new age of hope for humankind. Padraig Harrington became the first European in more than a century to win golf's British Open two years in a row.
One year ago: After years of preparation and months of buildup, London's Olympic moment finally arrived as Royal Marine Martyn Williams carried the Olympic torch from a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter into the Tower of London on the shore of the River Thames.
Today's birthdays: Actress-singer Sally Ann Howes is 83. Author Cormac McCarthy is 80. Rockabilly singer Sleepy LaBeef is 78. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., is 77. Actress Diana Rigg is 75. Artist Judy Chicago is 74. Rock musician John Lodge (The Moody Blues) is 70. Country singer T.G. Sheppard is 69. Singer Kim Carnes is 68. Rock musician Carlos Santana is 66. Rock musician Paul Cook (The Sex Pistols, Man Raze) is 57. Actress Donna Dixon is 56. Rock musician Mick McNeil (Simple Minds) is 55. Country singer Radney Foster is 54. Actor Frank Whaley is 50. Rock singer Chris Cornell is 49. Rock musician Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) is 47. Actor Reed Diamond is 46. Actor Josh Holloway is 44. Singer Vitamin C is 44. Actor Omar Epps is 40. Actor Simon Rex is 39. Actress Judy Greer is 38. Actor Charlie Korsmo is 35. Singer Elliott Yamin (yah-MEEN') (American Idol) is 35. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is 33. Rock musician Mike Kennerty (The All-American Rejects) is 33. Actor Percy Daggs III is 31. Actor John Francis Daley is 28. Country singer Hannah Blaylock (Edens Edge) is 27. Country singer-ballroom dancer Julianne Hough is 25. Actress Billi Bruno is 17.
Thought for today: "The regret on our side is, they used to say years ago, we are reading about you in science class. Now they say, we are reading about you in history class." -- Neil Armstrong, American astronaut (1930-2012)
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