July 12, 2008 - Today In History

The Associated Press

Today is Saturday, July 12, the 194th day of 2008. There are 172 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

One hundred years ago, on July 12, 1908, comedian Milton Berle was born Mendel Berlinger in New York City.

On this date:

In 1543, England's King Henry VIII married his sixth and last wife, Catherine Parr.

In 1690, forces led by William of Orange defeated the army of James II at the
Battle of the Boyne in Ireland.

In 1812, United States forces led by Gen. William Hull entered Canada during the War of 1812
against Britain. (However, Hull retreated shortly thereafter to Detroit.)

In 1817, naturalist-author Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Mass.

In 1862, Congress authorized the Medal of Honor.

In 1948, the Democratic National Convention opened in Philadelphia.

In 1977, President Carter defended Supreme Court decisions limiting government payments
for poor women's abortions, saying, "There are many things in life that are not fair."

In 1984, Democratic presidential candidate Walter F. Mondale announced he'd chosen U.S.
Rep. Geraldine A. Ferraro of New York to be his running mate;
Ferraro was the first woman to run for vice president on a major-party ticket.

In 1988, Democratic presidential candidate Michael S. Dukakis tapped Sen. Lloyd Bentsen of
Texas as his running mate.

In 1993, some 200 people were killed when an earthquake measuring magnitude 7.8 struck
northern Japan and triggered a tsunami.

Ten years ago:

In Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, three young brothers who had been asleep in their beds burned to death in a secterian attack.

France beat Brazil 3-0 for its first World Cup soccer championship.

Five years ago:

Wrapping up a five-day tour of Africa, President Bush said he would not allow terrorists to use the continent as a base "to threaten the world."

The USS Ronald Reagan, the first carrier named for a living president, was commissioned in Norfolk, Va.

Jazz great Benny Carter died at age 95.

One year ago:

A Bush administration assessment said Iraq had achieved only limited military and political progress toward a democratic society; Iraqi leaders responded by insisting they were making progress.

The House of Representatives voted to withdraw U.S. troops by spring 2008 despite a veto threat
from President Bush.

British soccer star David Beckham and his wife, Victoria (of Spice Girls fame), arrived in Los Angeles to begin their new lives in the United States.

Today's Birthdays:

Artist Andrew Wyeth is 91.

Movie director Monte Hellman is 76.

Pianist Van Cliburn is 74.

Comedian Bill Cosby is 71.

Singer-musician Christine McVie is 65.

Actress Denise Nicholas is 64.

Singer-songwriter Butch Hancock is 63.

Fitness guru Richard Simmons is 60.

Actor Jay Thomas is 60.

Singer Walter Egan is 60.

Writer-producer Brian Grazer is 57.

Actress Cheryl Ladd is 57.

Country singer Julie Miller is 52.

Gospel singer Sandi Patty is 52.

Actress Mel Harris is 52.

Actor Buddy Foster is 51.

Rock guitarist Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum) is 46.

Actress Judi Evans is 44.

Rock singer Robin Wilson is 43.

Actress Lisa Nicole Carson is 39.

Olympic gold medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi is 37.

Country singer Shannon Lawson is 35.

Rapper Magoo is 35.

Actress Anna Friel is 32.

Rhythm-and-blues singer Tracie Spencer is 32.

Actor Steve Howey is 31.

Actor Topher Grace is 30.

Actress Michelle Rodriguez is 30.

Actor Erik Per Sullivan is 17.

Thought for Today:

"I'd rather be a 'could-be' if I cannot be an 'are'; because a 'could-be' is a 'maybe' who is reaching
for a star.

I'd rather be a 'has-been' than a 'might-have-been,' by far; for a 'might-have-been' has never been,
but a 'has' was once an 'are.'" —

Milton Berle,
American comedian
(1908-2002).

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