Today is Wednesday, June 14th, the 165th day of 2006. There are 200 days left in the year. This is Flag Day.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On June 14th, 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, in German-occupied Poland, the Nazis opened their concentration camp at Auschwitz; the same day, German troops entered Paris.
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 T-W-A Flight 847 began as a pair of Lebanese Shiite Muslim extremists seized the jetliner shortly after takeoff from Athens, Greece.
In 1986, death claimed Broadway librettist Alan Jay Lerner in New York at age 67; Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges in Geneva at age 86; and “Wild Kingdom” host Marlin Perkins in suburban St. Louis at age 81.
Ten years ago: The FBI disclosed the White House had obtained bureau background reports on at least 408 people without justification. World copper markets were thrown into turmoil following disclosure by Sumitomo Corporation that a rogue trader had hidden multibillion-dollar losses.
Five years ago: The Bush administration announced the Navy would end its bombing exercises on Vieques Island off the coast of Puerto Rico by May 2003. President Bush sparred with European leaders in Sweden over climate change, unwavering in his opposition to a global warming treaty. Mike Gartner, Jari Kurri, Vyacheslav Fetisov and Dale Hawerchuk were elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
One year ago: U.S. Army deserter Charles Jenkins, who crossed into North Korea in 1965, arrived in the United States for his first visit in 40 years. Michelle Wie became the first female player to qualify for an adult male U-S Golf Association championship, tying for first place in a 36-hole U.S. Amateur Public Links sectional qualifying tournament.
Today’s Birthdays: Actor Gene Barry is 87. Actress Marla Gibbs is 75. Actor Jack Bannon is 66. Rock singer Rod Argent (The Zombies; Argent) is 61. Real estate developer Donald Trump is 60. Singer Janet Lennon (The Lennon Sisters) is 60. Rock musician Alan White (Yes) is 57. Actor Eddie Mekka is 54. Actor Will Patton is 52. Olympic gold-medal speed skater Eric Heiden is 48. Singer Boy George is 45. Rock musician Chris DeGarmo is 43. Actress Yasmine Bleeth is 38. Tennis player Steffi Graf is 37. Actress Traylor Howard is 35. Actor Daryl Sabara is 14.
Thought for Today: “And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave/ O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!” — The closing words of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key (1779-1843).