Today in History

Today is Sunday, July 22nd, the 203rd day of 2007. There are 162 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History: On July 22nd, 1933, American aviator Wiley Post completed the first solo flight around the world in seven days, 18 and three-quarter hours.

On this date: In 1587, an English colony fated to vanish under mysterious circumstances was established on Roanoke Island, North Carolina.

In 1796, Cleveland, Ohio, was founded by General Moses Cleaveland (correct).

In 1934, a man identified as bank robber John Dillinger was shot to death by federal agents outside Chicago's Biograph Theater.

In 1937, the Senate rejected President Roosevelt's proposal to add more justices to the Supreme Court.

In 1942, the Nazis began transporting Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka concentration camp.

In 1943, American forces led by General George S. Patton captured Palermo, Sicily.

In 1946, Jewish extremists blew up a wing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, killing 90 people.

In 1957, Walter "Fred" Morrison applied for a patent for a "flying toy" which became known as the Frisbee.

In 1967, American author, historian and poet Carl Sandburg died at his North Carolina home at age 89.

In 1975, the House of Representatives joined the Senate in voting to restore the American citizenship of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Ten years ago: More than two-thousand people gathered in Milan, Italy, for a memorial Mass for slain fashion designer Gianni Versace (JAH'-nee vur-SAH'-chee); the mourners included Princess Diana and singer-songwriter Elton John.

Five years ago: Factory worker Alejandro Avila (ah-lay-HAHN'-droh AH'-vee-lah) was charged with murder and kidnapping in the abduction and slaying of five-year-old Samantha Runnion of Stanton, California. (Avila was later convicted and sentenced to death.) One year ago: Israeli tanks, bulldozers and armored personnel carriers knocked down a fence and barreled over the Lebanese border as forces seized the village of Maroun al-Ras from the Hezbollah guerrilla group.

Today's Birthdays: Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (Republican, Kansas) is 84. Singer Margaret Whiting is 83.

Actor-comedian Orson Bean is 79. Actor Perry Lopez is 76. Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta is 75. Actress Louise Fletcher is 73.

Director John Korty is 71. Rhythm-and-blues singer Chuck Jackson is 70. Actor Terence Stamp is 68. Game show host Alex Trebek is 67.

Singer George CLinton is 66. Actor-singer Bobby Sherman is 64.

Singer Estelle Bennett (The Ronettes) is 63. Movie writer-director Paul Schrader is 61. Actor Danny Glover is 60.

Actor-comedian-director Albert Brooks is 60. Rock singer Don Henley is 60. Movie composer Alan Menken is 58. Actor Willem Dafoe is 52.

Rhythm-and-blues singer Keith Sweat is 46. Actress Joanna Going is 44. Actor Rob Estes is 44. Folk singer Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls) is 44. Actor John Leguizamo is 43. Actor-comedian David Spade is 43. Actor Patrick Labyorteaux is 42. Actress Irene Bedard is 40.

Actor Rhys Ifans (rees EYE'-fanz) is 40. Actor Colin Ferguson is 35. Rock musician Daniel Jones is 34. Singer Rufus Wainwright is 34. Actress Franka Potente (poh-TEN'-tay) is 33. Actress A.J. Cook is 29.

Thought for Today: "One, with God, is always a majority, but many a martyr has been burned at the stake while the votes were being counted." Thomas B. Reed, American lawyer and legislator (1839-1902).

(Above Advance for Use Sunday, July 22nd)


Copyright 2007, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-15-07 0828CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list