Today in History - Sept. 10
Today is Wednesday, Sept. 10, the 253rd day of 2003. There are 112 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History:
On Sept. 10, 1813, an American naval force commanded by Oliver H. Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.
On this date:
In 1608, John Smith was elected president of the Jamestown colony council in Virginia.
In 1846, Elias Howe received a patent for his sewing machine.
In 1919, New York City welcomed home Gen. John J. Pershing and 25,000 soldiers who'd served in the U.S. 1st Division during World War I.
In 1939, Canada declared war on Nazi Germany.
In 1945, Vidkun Quisling was sentenced to death in Norway for collaborating with the Nazis.
In 1948, American-born Mildred Gillars, accused of being Nazi wartime radio broadcaster "Axis Sally," was indicted in Washington, D.C., for treason. She was later convicted, and served 12 years in prison.
In 1955, "Gunsmoke" premiered on CBS television.
In 1963, 20 black students entered Alabama public schools following a standoff between federal authorities and Gov. George C. Wallace.
In 1977, convicted murderer Hamida Djandoubi, a Tunisian immigrant, became the last person to date to be executed by the guillotine in France.
In 1983, John Vorster, prime minister of white-ruled South Africa from 1966 to 1978, died in Cape Town at age 67.
Ten years ago: First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton lashed out at what she called "standpat, negative, nay-saying" opponents of health reform in an address to state legislators at George Washington University. The cult series "The X-Files (news -- Y! TV)" premiered on Fox Television.
Five years ago: President Clinton met with members of his Cabinet to apologize, ask forgiveness and promise to improve as a person in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Northwest Airlines and its striking pilots announced an agreement to end a nearly 2-week-old walkout.
One year ago: The Bush administration raised the nationwide terror alert to yellow, its second-highest level, closed nine U.S. embassies overseas and heightened security at federal buildings and landmarks in America on the eve of the Sept. 11 anniversary. Florida's first big test of its new elections system turned into a nightmare as polling stations opened late and problems cropped up with new touchscreen voting machines. Switzerland became the 190th member of the United Nations .
Today's Birthdays: Actress Fay Wray is 96. Movie director Robert Wise is 89. Golfer Arnold Palmer is 74. Country singer Tommy Overstreet is 66. Actor Greg Mullavey is 64. Jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers is 63. Singer Danny Hutton (Three Dog Night) is 61. Singer Jose Feliciano is 58. Actor Tom Ligon is 58. Actress Judy Geeson is 55. Rock musician Joe Perry (Aerosmith ) is 53. Actress Amy Irving is 50. Country singer Rosie Flores is 47. Actress Kate Burton is 46. Movie director Chris Columbus is 45. Actor Colin Firth is 43. Rock singer-musician David Lowery (Cracker) is 43. Rock musician Robin Goodridge (Bush) is 37. Rock singer-musician Miles Zuniga (Fastball) is 37. Rapper Big Daddy Kane is 35. Movie director Guy Ritchie is 35. Actor Ryan Phillippe is 29.
Thought for Today: "If there is no knowledge, there is no understanding; if there is no understanding, there is no knowledge." — The Talmud.
