BC-History-Sept 10,0614
Today in History
By The Associated Press
Today is Monday, Sept. 10, the 253rd day of 2007. 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 during 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 1907, 100 years ago, the first Neiman Marcus department store opened in Dallas.
In 1935, Sen. Huey P. Long, “The Kingfish” of Louisiana politics, died in Baton Rouge two days after being shot.
In 1939, Canada declared war on Nazi Germany.
In 1945, Vidkun Quisling was sentenced to death in Norway for collaborating with the Nazis (he was executed by firing squad in October 1945).
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 1987, Pope John Paul II arrived in Miami, where he was welcomed by President Reagan as he began a 10-day tour of the United States.
In 2003, Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, 46, was stabbed in a Stockholm department store; she died the next day.
Ten years ago: Former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy pleaded not-guilty to charges of accepting $35,000 in sports tickets, travel and lodging from companies regulated by the Agriculture Department. (He was later acquitted.)
Five years 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 9/11 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.
One year ago: On the eve of the anniversary of 9/11, President Bush and his wife, Laura, placed wreaths at ground zero in New York. Daniel Smith, the 20-year-old son of Anna Nicole Smith, died in the Bahamas of a lethal combination of drugs. Roger Federer defeated Andy Roddick 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the U.S. Open final. Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts defeated Eli Manning and the New York Giants 26-21 in the first NFL game to feature two brothers starting at quarterback. Golf pioneer Patty Berg died in Fort Myers, Fla., at age 88.
Today’s Birthdays: Golfer Arnold Palmer is 78. Actor Philip Baker Hall is 76. Country singer Tommy Overstreet is 70. Actor Greg Mullavey is 68. Jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers is 67. Singer Danny Hutton (Three Dog Night) is 65. Singer Jose Feliciano is 62. Actor Tom Ligon is 62. Actress Judy Geeson is 59. Rock musician Joe Perry (Aerosmith) is 57. Actress Amy Irving is 54. Country singer Rosie Flores is 51. Actress Kate Burton is 50. Movie director Chris Columbus is 49. Actor Colin Firth is 47. Rock singer-musician David Lowery (Cracker) is 47. Rock musician Robin Goodridge (Bush) is 41. Rock singer-musician Miles Zuniga (Fastball) is 41. Rapper Big Daddy Kane is 39. Movie director Guy Ritchie is 39. Actor Ryan Phillippe is 33.
Thought for Today: “If there is no knowledge, there is no understanding; if there is no understanding, there is no knowledge.” — The Talmud.