By The Associated Press Sat Apr 25, 12:01 am ET
Today is Saturday, April 25, the 115th day of 2009. There are 250 days left in the year. [Nice even number. — Ed.]
Also see: AP. AP A/V. The UPI Almanac.
Today's Highlight in History:
In 1945, during World War II, U.S. and Soviet forces linked up on the Elbe River, a meeting that dramatized the collapse of Nazi Germany's defenses.On this date:
In 1507, German cartographer Martin Waldseemueller named a huge land mass in the Western Hemisphere "America," in honor of Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci.In 1792, highwayman Nicolas Jacques Pelletier became the first person under French law to be executed by the guillotine.
One hundred and fifty years ago, in 1859, ground was broken for the Suez Canal.
In 1898, the United States formally declared war on Spain.
In 1901, New York Gov. Benjamin Barker Odell Junior signed an automobile registration bill making New York the first state to require license plates on automobiles. The bill also imposed a 15 mph speed limit on highways. [Little did we know this would become the de facto limit on L. A.'s freeways. — Ed.]
In 1915, during World War I, Allied soldiers invaded the Gallipoli Peninsula in an unsuccessful attempt to take the Ottoman Empire out of the war.
In 1945, delegates from some 50 countries met in San Francisco to organize the United Nations.
Fifty years ago, in 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway opened to shipping.
In 1983, Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov invited Samantha Smith to visit his country after receiving a letter in which the Manchester, Maine, schoolgirl expressed fears about nuclear war.
In 1990, Violeta Barrios de Chamorro was inaugurated as president of Nicaragua, ending 11 years of leftist Sandinista rule.
Ten years ago: On the third and final day of their Washington summit, NATO leaders promised military protection and economic aid to Yugoslavia's neighbors for standing with the West against Slobodan Milosevic. More than 70,000 mourners gathered in Littleton, Colo., to remember the victims of the Columbine High School massacre. Lord Killanin, former president of the International Olympic Committee, died in Dublin at age 84.
In 2003, Georgia lawmakers voted to scrap the Dixie cross from the state's flag. [Dixie Cross? WTF is that? The Stars & Bars have a new name? — Ed.]
Five years ago: Hundreds of thousands of abortion-rights supporters marched in Washington, D.C. to protest Bush administration policies.
One year ago: Three New York police detectives were acquitted in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed groom-to-be, on his wedding day. Triathlete David Martin, 66, was killed by a great white shark in the waters off San Diego County.
Today's Birthdays: Movie director-writer Paul Mazursky is 79. Songwriter Jerry Leiber is 76. Actor Al Pacino is 69. Rock musician Stu Cook (Creedence Clearwater Revival) is 64. Singer Bjorn Ulvaeus (ABBA) is 64. Actress Talia Shire is 63. Actor Jeffrey DeMunn is 62. Rock musician Michael Brown (The Left Banke) is 60. Rock musician Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) is 59. Country singer-songwriter Rob Crosby is 55. Actor Hank Azaria is 45. Rock singer Andy Bell (Erasure) is 45. Rock musician Eric Avery (Jane's Addiction) is 44. TV personality Jane Clayson is 42. Actress Renee Zellweger is 40. Actress Gina Torres is 40. Actor Jason Lee is 39. Actress Marguerite Moreau is 32.
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1968, The Beatles refused to perform for the Queen of England, saying regardless of the cause, they don't do benefits. [Ringo didn't like the menu. — Ed.]
In 1977, Elvis Presley made what would be the last recordings of his life, at a concert in Saginaw, Michigan. Three songs appeared in the posthumously released album "Moody Blue."
Thirty years ago, in 1979, the film "Rock and Roll High School" featuring The Ramones premiered. [We'll repeat that: Thirty years ago! Now two Ramones are dead. — Ed.]
In 1981, the band Wings broke up after guitarist Denny Laine quit the group.
In 1990, tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon died in Philadelphia of kidney failure at the age of 67. He helped define the be-bop movement, performing with such artists as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.
In 1995, actress-dancer Ginger Rogers died in Rancho Mirage, California. She was 83.In 2002, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC was killed in a car crash in Honduras. She was 30.
On this date:
In 1507, German cartographer Martin Waldseemueller named a huge land mass in the Western Hemisphere "America," in honor of Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci.
In 1792, highwayman Nicolas Jacques Pelletier became the first person under French law to be executed by the guillotine.
One hundred and fifty years ago, in 1859, ground was broken for the Suez Canal.
In 1898, the United States formally declared war on Spain.
In 1901, New York Gov. Benjamin Barker Odell Junior signed an automobile registration bill making New York the first state to require license plates on automobiles. The bill also imposed a 15 mph speed limit on highways. [Little did we know this would become the de facto limit on L. A.'s freeways. — Ed.]
In 1915, during World War I, Allied soldiers invaded the Gallipoli Peninsula in an unsuccessful attempt to take the Ottoman Empire out of the war.
In 1945, delegates from some 50 countries met in San Francisco to organize the United Nations.
Fifty years ago, in 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway opened to shipping.
In 1983, Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov invited Samantha Smith to visit his country after receiving a letter in which the Manchester, Maine, schoolgirl expressed fears about nuclear war.
In 1990, Violeta Barrios de Chamorro was inaugurated as president of Nicaragua, ending 11 years of leftist Sandinista rule.
Ten years ago: On the third and final day of their Washington summit, NATO leaders promised military protection and economic aid to Yugoslavia's neighbors for standing with the West against Slobodan Milosevic. More than 70,000 mourners gathered in Littleton, Colo., to remember the victims of the Columbine High School massacre. Lord Killanin, former president of the International Olympic Committee, died in Dublin at age 84.
In 2003, Georgia lawmakers voted to scrap the Dixie cross from the state's flag. [Dixie Cross? WTF is that? The Stars & Bars have a new name? — Ed.]
Five years ago: Hundreds of thousands of abortion-rights supporters marched in Washington, D.C. to protest Bush administration policies.
One year ago: Three New York police detectives were acquitted in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell, an unarmed groom-to-be, on his wedding day. Triathlete David Martin, 66, was killed by a great white shark in the waters off San Diego County.
Today's Birthdays: Movie director-writer Paul Mazursky is 79. Songwriter Jerry Leiber is 76. Actor Al Pacino is 69. Rock musician Stu Cook (Creedence Clearwater Revival) is 64. Singer Bjorn Ulvaeus (ABBA) is 64. Actress Talia Shire is 63. Actor Jeffrey DeMunn is 62. Rock musician Michael Brown (The Left Banke) is 60. Rock musician Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) is 59. Country singer-songwriter Rob Crosby is 55. Actor Hank Azaria is 45. Rock singer Andy Bell (Erasure) is 45. Rock musician Eric Avery (Jane's Addiction) is 44. TV personality Jane Clayson is 42. Actress Renee Zellweger is 40. Actress Gina Torres is 40. Actor Jason Lee is 39. Actress Marguerite Moreau is 32.
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1968, The Beatles refused to perform for the Queen of England, saying regardless of the cause, they don't do benefits. [Ringo didn't like the menu. — Ed.]
In 1977, Elvis Presley made what would be the last recordings of his life, at a concert in Saginaw, Michigan. Three songs appeared in the posthumously released album "Moody Blue."
Thirty years ago, in 1979, the film "Rock and Roll High School" featuring The Ramones premiered. [We'll repeat that: Thirty years ago! Now two Ramones are dead. — Ed.]
In 1981, the band Wings broke up after guitarist Denny Laine quit the group.
In 1990, tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon died in Philadelphia of kidney failure at the age of 67. He helped define the be-bop movement, performing with such artists as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.
In 2002, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC was killed in a car crash in Honduras. She was 30. 
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