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

Today in history: June 14

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

Today is Tuesday, June 14, the 165th day of 2005. There are 200 days left in the year. This is Flag Day.

Today’s Highlight in History:
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag.

On this date:
In 1775, the United States Army was founded.

In 1841, the first Canadian parliament opened in Kingston.

In 1846, a group of U.S. settlers in Sonoma proclaimed the Republic of California.

In 1928, the Republican National Convention nominated Herbert Hoover for president on the first ballot.

In 1940, German troops entered Paris during World War II.

In 1940, in German-occupied Poland, the Nazis opened their concentration camp at Auschwitz.

In 1943, the Supreme Court ruled schoolchildren could not be compelled to salute the flag of the United States if doing so conflicted with their religious beliefs.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed an order adding the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.

In 1982, Argentine forces surrendered to British troops on the disputed Falkland Islands.

In 1985, the 17-day hijack ordeal of TWA Flight 847 began as a pair of Lebanese Shiite Muslim extremists seized the jetliner shortly after takeoff from Athens, Greece.

Ten years ago: Stephen Yokich was elected president of the United Auto Workers at the union’s triennial convention in Anaheim, Calif.

Five years ago: In the biggest step toward peace since the end of the Korean War, the leaders of North and South Korea signed an agreement pledging to work for reconciliation and eventual reunification. The Southern Baptist Convention declared that women should no longer serve as pastors.

One year ago: A car bomb exploded during rush hour on a busy street in Baghdad, killing 12 people — five of them foreigners working to rebuild Iraq’s power plants. The Supreme Court allowed schoolchildren to keep affirming loyalty to one nation “under God,” but dodged the underlying question of whether the Pledge of Allegiance was an unconstitutional blending of church and state.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor Gene Barry is 82. Actress Marla Gibbs is 74. Rhythm-and-blues singer Renaldo “Obie” Benson (The Four Tops) is 69. Actor Jack Bannon is 65. Rock singer Rod Argent (The Zombies; Argent) is 60. Real estate developer Donald Trump is 59. Singer Janet Lennon (The Lennon Sisters) is 59. Rock musician Alan White (Yes) is 56. Actor Eddie Mekka is 53. Actor Will Patton is 51. Olympic gold-medal speed skater Eric Heiden is 47. Singer Boy George is 44. Rock musician Chris DeGarmo is 42. Actress Yasmine Bleeth is 37. Tennis player Steffi Graf is 36. Actress Traylor Howard is 34. Actor Daryl Sabara is 13.

Thought for Today: “There is the National flag. He must be cold, indeed, who can look upon its folds rippling in the breeze without pride of country. If in a foreign land, the flag is companionship, and country itself, with all its endearments.” — Charles Sumner, American author (1811-1874).