Today in History

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 14, the 14th day of 2009. There are 351 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 14, 1969, 27 people aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise were killed when a rocket warhead exploded, setting off a fire and additional explosions that ripped through the ship off Hawaii.

On this date: In 1639, the first constitution of Connecticut the "Fundamental Orders" was adopted.

In 1784, the United States ratified a peace treaty with England, ending the Revolutionary War.

In 1858, French emperor Napoleon III escaped an attempt on his life.

In 1900, Puccini's Opera "Tosca" had its world premiere in Rome.

In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and French General Charles de Gaulle opened a wartime conference in Casablanca.

In 1952, NBC's "Today" show premiered, with Dave Garroway as the host, or "communicator," as he was officially known.

In 1953, Josip Broz Tito (YAW'-sihp brawz TEE'-toh) was elected president of Yugoslavia by the country's Parliament.

In 1963, George C. Wallace was sworn in as governor of Alabama with a pledge of "segregation forever." In 1970, Diana Ross and the Supremes performed their last concert together, at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas.

In 1993, talk show host David Letterman announced he was moving from NBC to CBS.

Ten years ago: Before a jury of 100 silent senators, House prosecutors demanded President Bill CLinton's removal from office, charging he had "piled perjury upon perjury" and obstructed justice.

Five years ago: Former Enron finance chief Andrew Fastow (FAS'-tow) pleaded guilty to conspiracy as he accepted a ten-year prison sentence. J.P. Morgan Chase and Company struck a deal to buy Bank One Corporation for $58 billion. A female Palestinian suicide bomber killed three Israeli soldiers and a private security guard at a Gaza crossing. U.N. officials announced that Libya had ratified the nuclear test ban treaty. President George W. Bush unveiled a plan to send astronauts to the moon, Mars and beyond.

Death claimed actress Uta Hagen in New York at age 84 and actor Ron O'Neal in Los Angeles at age 66.

One year ago: Republican Bobby Jindal, the first elected Indian-American governor in the United States, took office in Louisiana. Alvaro Colom was sworn in as Guatemala's first leftist president in more than 50 years.

Today's Birthdays: CBS commentator Andy Rooney is 90. Blues singer Clarence Carter is 73. Country singer Billie Jo Spears is 72. Singer Jack Jones is 71. Singer-songwriter Allen Toussaint is 71. NAACP Chairman Julian Bond is 69. Actress Faye Dunaway is 68.

Actress Holland Taylor is 66. Actor Carl Weathers is 61.

Singer-producer T-Bone Burnett is 61. Movie writer-director Lawrence Kasdan is 60. Rock singer Geoff Tate (Queensryche) is 50.

Movie writer-director Steven Soderbergh is 46. Actor Mark Addy is 45. Fox News Channel anchorman Shepard Smith is 45. Rapper Slick Rick is 44. Actor Dan Schneider is 43. Actress Emily Watson is 42.

Actor-comedian Tom Rhodes is 42. Rock musician Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne Band) is 42. Rapper-actor LL Cool J is 41. Actor Jason Bateman is 40. Rock singer-musician Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) is 40. Actress Jordan Ladd is 34. Retro-soul singer-songwriter Marc Broussard is 27. Rock singer-musician Caleb Followill (Kings of Leon) is 27. Rock musician Joe Guese (The Click Five) is 26.

Thought for Today: "The most exciting happiness is the happiness generated by forces beyond your control." Ogden Nash, American author-humorist (1902-1971).

(Above Advance for Use Wednesday, Jan. 14)


Copyright 2009, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-04-09 0942CST | save this article / add to your favorites list