Today is Friday, June 10, the 161st day of 2005. There are 204 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On June 10, 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in Akron, Ohio.
On this date:
In 1801, the north African state of Tripoli declared war on the United States in a dispute over safe passage of merchant vessels through the Mediterranean.
In 1865, the Richard Wagner opera “Tristan und Isolde” premiered in Munich, Germany.
In 1940, Italy declared war on France and Britain; Canada declared war on Italy.
In 1942, the Gestapo massacred 173 male residents of Lidice, Czechoslovakia, in retaliation for the killing of a Nazi official.
In 1946, Italy replaced its abolished monarchy with a republic.
In 1964, the Senate voted to limit further debate on a proposed civil rights bill, shutting off a filibuster by Southern states.
In 1967, the Middle East War ended as Israel and Syria agreed to observe a United Nations-mediated cease-fire.
In 1978, Affirmed won the Belmont Stakes and with it, horse racing’s Triple Crown.
In 1985, socialite Claus von Bulow was acquitted by a jury in Providence, R.I., at his retrial on charges he’d tried to murder his heiress wife, Martha “Sunny” von Bulow.
In 2002, organized crime figure John Gotti died at a prison hospital in Missouri at age 61.
Ten years ago: U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O’Grady, rescued after being shot down over Bosnia, described his six-day ordeal at a news conference at Aviano Air Base in Italy, saying he was no “Rambo” and no hero. A bomb blamed on drug traffickers exploded in Medellin, Colombia, killing 26 people. Thunder Gulch won the Belmont Stakes.
Five years ago: Syrian President Hafez Assad died at age 69; he was succeeded by his son, Bashar. The New Jersey Devils won their second Stanley Cup in six seasons with a 2-to-1 victory in double overtime over the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the finals. Commendable won the Belmont Stakes. Frenchwoman Mary Pierce beat Conchita Martinez 6-2, 7-5 to win the French Open women’s singles title.
One year ago: Singer-musician Ray Charles, known for such hits as “What’d I Say,” “Georgia on My Mind” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” died in Beverly Hills, Calif., at age 73.
Today’s Birthdays: Actor Barry Morse is 87. Britain’s Prince Philip is 84. Columnist Nat Hentoff is 80. Actress June Haver is 79. Actor-director Lionel Jeffries is 79. Author Maurice Sendak is 77. Attorney F. Lee Bailey is 72. Actress Alexandra Stewart is 66. Singer Shirley Alston Reeves (The Shirelles) is 64. Actor Jurgen Prochnow is 64. Media commentator Jeff Greenfield is 62. Country singer-songwriter Thom Schuyler is 53. Actor Andrew Stevens is 50. Singer Barrington Henderson is 49. Singer Maxi Priest is 44. Actress Gina Gershon is 43. Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn is 42. Rock musician Jimmy Chamberlin is 41. Model-actress Elizabeth Hurley is 40. Actor Doug McKeon is 39. Rock musician Emma Anderson is 38. Country musician Brian Hofeldt (The Derailers) is 38. Rapper The D.O.C. is 37. Rock singer Mike Doughty is 35. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jo-Jo is 34. Rhythm-and-blues singer Faith Evans is 32. Rhythm-and-blues singer Lemisha Grinstead (702) is 27. Actor Shane West is 27. Singer Hoku is 24. Actress Leelee Sobieski is 23. Olympic gold medal figure skater Tara Lipinski is 23.
Thought for Today: “I am firm. You are obstinate. He is a pig-headed fool.” — Katharine Whitehorn, British newspaper columnist.