By The Associated Press. Today is Tuesday, June 30, the
181st day of 2009. There are
184 days left in the year.
AP.
A/V.
UPI Almanac.
Today's Highlight in History:
One hundred fifty years ago, in 1859, French acrobat Charles Blondin (born Jean Francois Gravelet) walked back and forth on a tightrope above the gorge of Niagara Falls as thousands of spectators watched.
On this date:
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. [Pardon us, may we inspect your meat? — Ed.]
In 1908, the Tunguska Event took place in Russia as an asteroid exploded above Siberia, leaving 800 square miles of scorched or blown-down trees.
In 1921, President Warren G. Harding nominated former President William Howard Taft to be chief justice of the United States, succeeding the late Edward Douglass White.
In 1934, Adolf Hitler carried out his "blood purge" of political and military rivals in Germany in what came to be known as "The Night of the Long Knives."
In 1936, the novel "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell was published in New York.
In 1950, U.S. troops were moved from Japan to help defend South Korea against the invading North Koreans.
In 1958, the U.S. Senate passed the Alaska statehood bill by a vote of 64-20. [Were those 20 who were opposed anticipating Sarah Palin? — Ed.]
In 1963, Pope Paul VI was crowned the 262nd head of the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1971, a Soviet space mission ended in tragedy when three cosmonauts aboard Soyuz 11 were found dead inside their spacecraft after it had returned to Earth.
In 1984, John Turner was sworn in as Canada's 17th prime minister, succeeding Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
In 1985, 39 American hostages from a hijacked TWA jetliner were freed in Beirut after being held 17 days.
In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states could outlaw homosexual acts between consenting adults. Hugh Hefner, calling his Playboy Bunny a "symbol of the past," closed Playboy Clubs in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
Fifteen years ago, in 1994, the U.S. Figure Skating Association stripped Tonya Harding of the national championship and banned her from the organization for life for an attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan.
Ten years ago: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in two years, boosting the target for the funds rate a quarter-point to five percent. On the day the independent counsel law expired, Kenneth Starr wrapped up the Whitewater phase of his investigation as presidential friend Webster Hubbell pleaded guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor.
Five years ago: A federal appeals court approved an antitrust settlement Microsoft had negotiated with the Justice Department. The Iraqis took legal custody of Saddam Hussein and 11 of his top lieutenants, a first step toward the ousted dictator's expected trial for crimes against humanity. After nearly seven years of travel, the international Cassini spacecraft entered Saturn's orbit.
One year ago: President George W. Bush signed legislation to pay for the war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for the rest of his presidency and beyond, hailing the $162 billion plan as a rare product of bipartisan cooperation. The United States announced that it was charging Saudi Arabian Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri with "organizing and directing" the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in waters off Yemen — and would seek the death penalty.
Today's Birthdays: Singer Lena Horne is 92. Actor Tony Musante is 73. Actress Nancy Dussault is 73. Singer Glenn Shorrock is 65. Jazz musician Stanley Clarke is 58. Actor David Garrison is 57. Rock musician Hal Lindes (Dire Straits) is 56. Actor-comedian David Alan Grier is 53. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio is 50. Boxer Mike Tyson is 43. Rhythm-and-blues singer Fantasia ("American Idol") is 25. Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps is 24.
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1923, jazz pioneer Sidney Bechet made his first recording. It included "Wild Cat Blues" and "Kansas City Blues."
In 1952, the radio program "Guiding Light" made its debut as a television soap opera on CBS.
In 1975, singer Cher and rock star Gregg Allman were married. The marriage lasted 10 days.
In 1976, police raided singer Neil Diamond's house. They didn't find enough marijuana for an arrest, but Diamond did give them copies of his new album, "Beautiful Noise."
In 1977, Marvel Comics released a comic book based on the members of the rock band Kiss. The band members contributed some of their blood to the ink used in the books.
In 1978, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols released his version of "My Way."
In 1981, Jerry Lee Lewis was hospitalized in Memphis because of a stomach ulcer. After two operations, doctors gave him less than a 50-50 chance of recovering. Within a few months, he was back on his feet. [You can't kill "The Killer." — Ed.]
In 1985, Yul Brynner performed for the last time as the King of Siam in "The King and I." He had done the show off and on for 34 years and more than 4,500 performances.
In 1992, actor Tom Hanks got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He showed up at the ceremony with some of his co-stars from the movie "A League Of Their Own."
Fifteen years ago, in 1994, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam testified before a congressional hearing concerning rising concert ticket prices.
In 1995, country singer Garth Brooks was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2000, eight people were trampled and crushed to death and 43 injured at the Roskilde festival in Denmark. The crowd had surged toward the main stage where Pearl Jam was playing.
In 2001, country musician Chet Atkins died at age 77.
Thought for Today: "Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young." — Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, English dramatist (1855-1934). [We got your "love" right here, Sir Arthur. — Ed.]
In 1908, the Tunguska Event took place in Russia as an asteroid exploded above Siberia, leaving 800 square miles of scorched or blown-down trees.
In 1921, President Warren G. Harding nominated former President William Howard Taft to be chief justice of the United States, succeeding the late Edward Douglass White.
In 1934, Adolf Hitler carried out his "blood purge" of political and military rivals in Germany in what came to be known as "The Night of the Long Knives."
In 1936, the novel "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell was published in New York.
In 1950, U.S. troops were moved from Japan to help defend South Korea against the invading North Koreans.
In 1958, the U.S. Senate passed the Alaska statehood bill by a vote of 64-20. [Were those 20 who were opposed anticipating Sarah Palin? — Ed.]
In 1963, Pope Paul VI was crowned the 262nd head of the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1971, a Soviet space mission ended in tragedy when three cosmonauts aboard Soyuz 11 were found dead inside their spacecraft after it had returned to Earth.
In 1984, John Turner was sworn in as Canada's 17th prime minister, succeeding Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
In 1985, 39 American hostages from a hijacked TWA jetliner were freed in Beirut after being held 17 days.
In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states could outlaw homosexual acts between consenting adults. Hugh Hefner, calling his Playboy Bunny a "symbol of the past," closed Playboy Clubs in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
Fifteen years ago, in 1994, the U.S. Figure Skating Association stripped Tonya Harding of the national championship and banned her from the organization for life for an attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan.
Ten years ago: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in two years, boosting the target for the funds rate a quarter-point to five percent. On the day the independent counsel law expired, Kenneth Starr wrapped up the Whitewater phase of his investigation as presidential friend Webster Hubbell pleaded guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor.
Five years ago: A federal appeals court approved an antitrust settlement Microsoft had negotiated with the Justice Department. The Iraqis took legal custody of Saddam Hussein and 11 of his top lieutenants, a first step toward the ousted dictator's expected trial for crimes against humanity. After nearly seven years of travel, the international Cassini spacecraft entered Saturn's orbit.
One year ago: President George W. Bush signed legislation to pay for the war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for the rest of his presidency and beyond, hailing the $162 billion plan as a rare product of bipartisan cooperation. The United States announced that it was charging Saudi Arabian Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri with "organizing and directing" the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in waters off Yemen — and would seek the death penalty.
Today's Birthdays: Singer Lena Horne is 92. Actor Tony Musante is 73. Actress Nancy Dussault is 73. Singer Glenn Shorrock is 65. Jazz musician Stanley Clarke is 58. Actor David Garrison is 57. Rock musician Hal Lindes (Dire Straits) is 56. Actor-comedian David Alan Grier is 53. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio is 50. Boxer Mike Tyson is 43. Rhythm-and-blues singer Fantasia ("American Idol") is 25. Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps is 24.
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1923, jazz pioneer Sidney Bechet made his first recording. It included "Wild Cat Blues" and "Kansas City Blues."
In 1952, the radio program "Guiding Light" made its debut as a television soap opera on CBS.
In 1975, singer Cher and rock star Gregg Allman were married. The marriage lasted 10 days.
In 1976, police raided singer Neil Diamond's house. They didn't find enough marijuana for an arrest, but Diamond did give them copies of his new album, "Beautiful Noise."
In 1977, Marvel Comics released a comic book based on the members of the rock band Kiss. The band members contributed some of their blood to the ink used in the books.
In 1978, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols released his version of "My Way."
In 1981, Jerry Lee Lewis was hospitalized in Memphis because of a stomach ulcer. After two operations, doctors gave him less than a 50-50 chance of recovering. Within a few months, he was back on his feet. [You can't kill "The Killer." — Ed.]
In 1985, Yul Brynner performed for the last time as the King of Siam in "The King and I." He had done the show off and on for 34 years and more than 4,500 performances.
In 1992, actor Tom Hanks got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He showed up at the ceremony with some of his co-stars from the movie "A League Of Their Own."
Fifteen years ago, in 1994, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam testified before a congressional hearing concerning rising concert ticket prices.
In 1995, country singer Garth Brooks was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2000, eight people were trampled and crushed to death and 43 injured at the Roskilde festival in Denmark. The crowd had surged toward the main stage where Pearl Jam was playing.
In 2001, country musician Chet Atkins died at age 77.
Thought for Today: "Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young." — Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, English dramatist (1855-1934). [We got your "love" right here, Sir Arthur. — Ed.]
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