IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Today in history: April 11

Celebrity birthdays, highlights in history, plus more facts about this day
/ Source: The Associated Press

Today is Tuesday, April 11, the 101st day of 2006. There are 264 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:
On April 11, 1945, during World War II, American soldiers liberated the notorious Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald in Germany.

On this date:
In 1689, William III and Mary II were crowned as joint sovereigns of Britain.

In 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated as emperor of France and was banished to the island of Elba.

In 1898, President McKinley asked Congress for a declaration of war against Spain.

In 1899, the treaty ending the Spanish-American War was declared in effect.

In 1951, President Truman relieved Gen. Douglas MacArthur of his commands in the Far East.

In 1953, Oveta Culp Hobby became the first Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.

In 1968, President Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968, a week after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1970, Apollo 13 blasted off on its ill-fated mission to the moon. (The astronauts managed to return safely).

In 1979, Idi Amin was deposed as president of Uganda as rebels and exiles backed by Tanzanian forces seized control.

In 1981, President Reagan returned to the White House from the hospital, 12 days after he was wounded in an assassination attempt.

Ten years ago: Seven-year-old Jessica Dubroff, who’d hoped to become the youngest person to fly cross-country, was killed along with her father and flight instructor when her plane crashed after takeoff from Cheyenne, Wyo.

Five years ago: Ending a tense 11-day standoff, China agreed to free the 24 crew members of an American spy plane after President Bush said he was “very sorry” for the death of a Chinese fighter pilot whose plane had collided with the American aircraft. A stampede at a packed soccer stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, killed 43 people.

One year ago: During a meeting at his Texas ranch, President Bush told Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon he could not allow further West Bank settlement growth and said Israeli and Palestinian doubts about each other were hampering peace prospects. Jeffrey Ake, a 47-year-old contract worker from LaPorte, Ind., was abducted in Iraq. Miss North Carolina Chelsea Cooley was crowned Miss USA.

Today’s Birthdays: Former New York State Gov. Hugh Carey is 87. Ethel Kennedy is 78. Actor Johnny Sheffield is 75. Actor Joel Grey is 74. Actress Louise Lasser is 67. Syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman is 65. Movie writer-director John Milius is 62. Actor Peter Riegert is 59. Actor Meshach Taylor is 59. Movie director Carl Franklin is 57. Actor Bill Irwin is 56. Country singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale is 49. Songwriter-producer Daryl Simmons is 49. Actor Lucky Vanous is 45. Country singer Steve Azar is 42. Singer Lisa Stansfield is 40. Rock musician Dylan Keefe (Marcy Playground) is 36. Actor Johnny Messner is 36. Singer Joss Stone is 19.

Thought for Today: “The only thing I regret about my past life is the length of it. If I had my past life over again I’d make all the same mistakes — only sooner.” — Tallulah Bankhead, American actress (1903-1968).