Today is Wednesday, June 24, the 175th day of 2009. There are 190 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History:
Five hundred years ago, on June 24, 1509, Henry VIII was crowned king of England; his wife, Catherine of Aragon, was crowned queen consort.
On this date:
In 1314, the forces of Scotland's King Robert I defeated the English in the Battle of Bannockburn.
In 1497, the first recorded sighting of North America by a European took place as explorer John Cabot spotted land, probably in present-day Canada.
In 1793, the first republican constitution in France was adopted.
In 1807, a grand jury in Richmond, Va., indicted former Vice President Aaron Burr on charges of treason and high misdemeanor. (He was later acquitted).
In 1908, the 22nd and 24th presidents of the United States, Grover Cleveland, died in Princeton, N.J., at age 71.
In 1940, France signed an armistice with Italy during World War II.
In 1948, Communist forces cut off all land and water routes between West Germany and West Berlin, prompting the western allies to organize the Berlin Airlift. The Republican National Convention, meeting in Philadelphia, nominated New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey for president.
In 1968, "Resurrection City," a shantytown constructed as part of the Poor People's March on Washington, D.C., was closed down by authorities.
In 1975, 113 people were killed when an Eastern Airlines Boeing 727 crashed while attempting to land during a thunderstorm at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
In 1983, the space shuttle Challenger _ carrying America's first woman in space, Sally K. Ride _ coasted to a safe landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Ten years ago: Union organizers claimed victory after workers at six Fieldcrest Cannon mills in North Carolina voted to be represented by the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees. (Fieldcrest Cannon's parent company, Pillowtex, went bankrupt in 2003.) Testimony wound to an end after 76 days in the landmark Microsoft antitrust trial.
Five years ago: Federal investigators questioned President George W. Bush for more than an hour in connection with the news leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. A federal appeals court struck down an FCC effort to make sweeping changes in media ownership rules. In a bizarre conclusion to a huge upset, the chair umpire called the wrong score in the second tiebreaker, and Venus Williams fell 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) to Karolina Sprem in the second round at Wimbledon.
One year ago: Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe refused to give into pressure from Africa and the West, saying the world can "shout as loud as they like" but he would not cancel an upcoming runoff election even though his opponent had quit the race. Leonid Hurwicz, who shared the Nobel Prize in economics in 2007, died in Minneapolis at age 90.
Famous Birthdays on this Day in History
1244 - Hendrik I, the Child, 1st count of Hessen (1256-1308)
1322 - Johanna, duchess of Brabant/Limburg (Joyful Entry)
1343 - Jeanne de Valois, Queen of Navarre (d. 1373)
1386 - Giovanni da Capistrano, Italian saint (d. 1456)
1485 - Johannes Bugenhagen, German reformer (d. 1558)
1499 - Johannes Brenz, German theologist (Dutch Brentians)
1519 - Theodore Beza, French theologian (d. 1605)
1533 - Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester/English commander-in-chief in Neth
1535 - Joan of Spain, queen consort of Portugal (d. 1573)
1542 - Juan de la Cruz, [de Yepes], Spanish Carmelet/poet/saint
1542 - St. John of the Cross, Spanish Carmelite mystic and poet (d. 1591)
1546 - Robert Parsons, English jesuit (A Letter Disclosure)
1561 - Rombout Hogerbeets, lawyer/pension minister of Leiden
1572 - Jan Campanus, composer
1590 - Samuel Ampzing, poet (Taelbericht der Neth Spellinge)
1619 - Rijcklof Volckertsz van Goens, governor-general (Neth East Indies)
1663 - Jean Baptiste Massillon, French churchman (d. 1742)
1669 - Francois van Aerssen, Dutch vice-admiral (Suriname/Algeria)
1687 - Johann Albrecht Bengel, German scholar (d. 1757)
1694 - Jean-Jacques Burlamaqui, Swiss publicist (d. 1748)
1704 - Jean-Baptiste de Boyer, Marquis d'Argens, French writer (d. 1771)
1746 - Jean Baptiste Rochefort, composer
1747 - Johann Melchior Dreyer, composer
1762 - Johann Paul Wessely, composer
1771 - E I Du Pont, France, chemist/scientist (Du Pont)
1774 - François Nicolas Benoît, Baron Haxo, French general (d. 1838)
1777 - John Ross, British naval officer and explorer (d. 1856)
1795 - Ernst Heinrich Weber, German anatomist and physiologist (d. 1878)
1797 - John Hughes, archbishop, founded Fordham University in the Bronx
1803 - George James Webb, composer
1804 - Stephan L Endlicher, Austrian priest/botanist
1804 - Willard Richards, American religious leader (d. 1854)
1808 - Anna Caroline Oury, composer
1811 - John Archibald Campbell, Asst Secy War (Confederacy), died in 1889
1813 - Henry Ward Beecher, Litchfield Ct, clergyman/orator (Independent)
1820 - Henry Rootes Jackson, Brig General (Confederate Army), died in 1898
1822 - Birkett Davenport Fry, Brig General (Confederate Army), died in 1891
1825 - Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia (d. 1844)
1826 - George Goyder, surveyor-general of South Australia (d. 1898)
1832 - Edward Harland, Brig General (Union volunteers), died in 1915
1838 - Gustav von Schmoller, German economist (Lectern Socialism)
1839 - Gustavus Franklin Swift, founded Swift & Co
1840 - Louis Brassin, composer
1842 - Ambrose Bierce, US, satirist (Devil's Dictionary)
1847 - Gervais Bernard Gaston Salvayre, composer
1848 - Brooks Adams, US philosopher (Theory of Social Revolutions)
1850 - Horatio Herbert Kitchener, England, original Order of Merit member
1852 - Victor Adler, Austrian Foreign minister (1918)
1860 - Mercedes of Orleans, queen of Spain (d. 1878)
1873 - Thomas Carl Whitmer, composer
1877 - Aleksei M Remizov, Russian writer (Iveren)
1879 - Agrippina J Vaganova, Russian ballet dancer
1882 - Carl Diem, German Olympic official (d. 1962)
1882 - Athanase David, Canadian politician and businessman (d. 1953)
1886 - George Shiels, Northern Irish dramatist (d. 1949)
1888 - Gerrit T Rietveld, Dutch architect (Juliana Hall, Sonsbeek Pavillion)
1891 - Irving Pichel, Pitts PA, actor/director (Mme Butterfly, Oliver Twist)
1893 - Roy O. Disney, a founder of the Walt Disney Company (d. 1971)
1895 - Jack Dempsey, "Manassa Mauler", heavyweight boxing champion (1919-26)
1897 - Daniel K. Ludwig, American shipping magnate (d. 1992)
1899 - Bruce Marshall, writer
1899 - Chief Dan George, actor (Harry & Tonto, Little Big Man. Smith!)
1900 - Memphis Minnie, rocker
1900 - Wilhelm Cauer, German mathematician (d. 1945)
1901 - Harry Partch, Oakland Calif, composer (Oedipus)
1903 - Ernest Leslie Bouts, motor-racing driver
1903 - Phil Harris, Linton In, actor (Anything Goes, Robin Hood)
1904 - Kurt Kusenberg, German writer (Wein Auf Lebenszeit)
1906 - Pierre Fournier, Paris France, violon cellist (Paris Conservatoire)
1906 - Willard Maas, American educator and experimental filmmaker (d. 1971)
1907 - Jose de Lima Siquiera, composer
1907 - Arseny Tarkovsky, Russian poet (d. 1989)
1908 - Hugo Distler, composer
1908 - Guru Gopinath, Indian classical dancer (d 1987)
1908 - Alfons Rebane, Estonian military officer (d. 1976)
1909 - Milton Katims, NYC, conductor/violist (WOR-NYC)
1909 - William G Penney, British physicist (1st British Atom Bomb)
1910 - Denis Dowling, baritone
1911 - Juan Manuel Fangio, racing driver
1911 - Ernesto Sábato, Argentinian writer
1912 - Brian Johnston, cricketer (BBC radio commentator & cake connoisseur)
1912 - Norman Cousins, editor (Saturday Review)
1912 - Selwyn Powell, art editor
1913 - John Kubris, Czech resistance fighter
1913 - Max van Praag, Dutch singer
1914 - Pearl Witherington CBE, British WW II secret agent (d. 2008)
1915 - Charles James Dunn, Japanese scholar
1915 - Fred Hoyle, cosmologist (proposed steady-state universe theory)
1916 - John Ciardi, poet/critic (translated Dante)
1919 - Al Molinaro, Kenosha Wisc, actor (Murray-Odd Couple, Al-Happy Days)
1920 - Bernhard Krol, composer
1920 - James Eric Storrar, fighter Pilot
1921 - Billy Casper, golfer
1922 - Aadje [Alida WM] Lyre, Dutch twin daughter of Prince Hendrik(?)
1922 - Rietje [Maria SC] Lyre, Dutch twin daughter of Prince Hendrik(?)
1922 - Roy Elihu Travis, NYC, composer (Passion of Dedipus)
1922 - Tata Giacobetti, Italian singer (Quartetto Cetra)
1923 - Jack Carter, Bkln NY, comedian/actor (Amazing Dobermans, Octagon)
1924 - Ranasinghe Premadasa, president of Sri Lanka (1989-93)
1924 - Kurt Furgler, member of the Swiss Federal Council (d. 2008)
1924 - Brian Bevan, Australian rugby league footballer (d. 1991)
1925 - Len Jagger, English businessman/multi-millionaire
1927 - Joseph Pierce Jr, horse trainer
1930 - Herbert C Klien, (Rep-D-New Jersey)
1930 - William B. Ziff, Jr., American publishing executive (d. 2006)
1931 - Billy Casper, SD Ca, golfer, 3-time PGA Player of Year ('66, '68, '70)
1932 - David McTaggart, co-founder (Greenpeace)
1934 - Bob Holthus, horse trainer
1935 - Pete Hamill, Brooklyn, NY, journalist (NY Post)
1935 - Terry Riley, Colfax Calif, composer (Spectra)
1938 - Boris Lagutin, USSR, light-middleweight boxer (Olympic-gold-1964, 68)
1938 - Lowell Cross, composer
1938 - Lawrence Block, American writer
1939 - Henry Lawrence Garett III, Miami Fla, Sect of Navy (1989-92)
1941 - Graham McKenzie, cricketer (prolific Australian pace bowler 1961-71)
1941 - Julia Kristeva, Bulgarian-French philosopher, psychoanalyst, and novelist
1942 - Gerhart Roth, writer
1942 - Michele Lee, LA Calif, actress/singer (Karen-Knots Landing, Love Bug)
1942 - Mick Fleetwood, London, rock drummer (Fleetwood Mac-Go Your Own Way)
1943 - Georg Stanford Brown, Havana Cuba, actor (Terry Webster-Rookies)
1944 - Arthur Brown, England, rocker (Fire) [or May 24]
1944 - Bruce Johnston, singer/bassist (Beachboys-Surfin' Girl) [or Apr 26]
1944 - Chris Wood, rocker (Traffic)
1944 - Jeff Beck, Surrey England, singer/guitarist (Jeff Beck Group)
1945 - Betty Stove, Netherlands, tennis player (US Doubles 1972)
1945 - Colin Blunstone, England, rocker (Zombies-Never Even Thought)
1945 - George E Pataki, Peekskill NY, (Gov-R-NY, 1995- )
1946 - Ellison S Onizuka, Hawaii, Mjr USAF/ast (STS 51C, 51L-Chal disaster)
1946 - Robert Reich, US Sec of Labor (Clinton)
1946 - David Collenette, Canadian politician
1947 - Walter Willison, Monterrey Park Calif, actor (McDuff the Talking Dog)
1947 - Marianne Delgorge, singer/actress (Ice Cream Soda)
1947 - Peter Weller, Stevens Point WI, actor (Robocop, Of Unknown Origin)
1948 - Patrick Morza, Morges Switzerland, rock keyboardist (Yes)
1948 - Patrick Moraz, Swiss keyboard player (Yes)
1949 - John Illsley, Leicester England, rock bassist (Dire Straits)
1950 - Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Kingston Jamaica, rocker (Black Uhuru)
1950 - Leon J P M Frissen, Dutch MP (CDA)
1950 - Mercedes R Lackey, US, sci-fi author (Arrow's Fall, Magic's Pawn)
1950 - Nancy Allen, NYC, actress (Carrie, 1941, Robocop, Dress to Kill)
1951 - Ivar Formo, Norway, 50K cross country skier (Olympic-gold-1976)
1951 - Raelene Boyle, Australia, sprinter (Oly-Silver-72)
1951 - David Rodigan, radio DJ/actor
1952 - Stephen Pusey, British-born artist
1953 - Ivo Lill, Estonian artist
1955 - Loren Lloyd Roberts, San Luis Obispo CA, PGA golfer (Nestle-1994, 95)
1955 - Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, Guru of Siddha Yoga
1955 - Betsy Randle, American actress
1956 - Joe Penny, English actor
1957 - Astro, [Terrence Wilson], England, rock vocalist (UB40-Red Red Wine)
1958 - Victor M Gerena, NYC, security guard robbed $7 million (FBI wanted)
1959 - Andy McClusky, rocker (Orchestal Manoeveres in the Dark-Electricity)
1959 - Rob Delahaye, soccer player (MVV)
1960 - Juli Inkster, Santa Cruz CA, LPGA golfer (Dinah Shore-1984, 89)
1960 - Nate Carr, Erie Pa, freestyle wrestler (Olympic-bronze-1988)
1960 - Trisha Meili, the "Central Park Jogger"
1960 - Karin Pilsäter, Swedish politician
1960 - Erik Poppe, Norwegian film director
1961 - Bernie Nicholls, Haliburton, NHL center (Chicago Blackhawks)
1961 - Curt Smith, Bath England, rock bassist/vocalist (Tears For Fears)
1961 - Jim Laver Carter, Spring Lake NC, PGA golfer (1995 Anheuser-Busch)
1961 - Natalya Shaposhnikova, USSR, sidehorse vaulter (Olympic-gold-1980)
1963 - Duval Love, NFL guard (Arizona Cardinals)
1963 - Anatoly Borisovich Jurkin, Russian writer
1963 - Preki, Serbian-born American soccer player
1963 - Mike Wieringo, American comic book artist (d. 2007)
1964 - David Daniel, jockey
1964 - Gary Suter, Madison WI, NHL defenseman (Chicago Blackhawks, USA)
1965 - Danielle Spencer, Bronx, actress (Dee Thomas-What's Happening)
1965 - Patrick Jeffrey, Morristown NJ, diver (Olympics-5th-96)
1965 - Shane Churla, Fernie, NHL right wing (LA Kings, NY Rangers)
1965 - Uwe Krupp, Cologne Ger, NHL defenseman (Colo Avalanche, Germany 98)
1965 - Uwe Krupp, German ice hockey player
1966 - John Randle, Chicoutimi Que, golfer (1992 Canadian Tour Fall-3rd)
1966 - Adrienne Shelly, American actress, director and screenwriter (d. 2006)
1967 - Bill Huard, Welland, NHL left wing (Dallas Stars)
1967 - Crystal Carson, Spaulding NE, actress (Cartel, Julia-General Hospital)
1967 - Jeff Cease, Nashville, guitarist (Black Crowes-Shake Your Money Maker)
1967 - Olaf Hampel, WLAF offensive linebacker (Frankfurt Galaxy, Rhein Fire)
1967 - Sherry Stringfield, Colo Springs Colo, actress (Laura-NYPD Blue, ER)
1967 - Richard Kruspe-Bernstein, German musician (Rammstein)
1967 - Janez Lapajne, Slovenian film director
1969 - Melissa Gurney, Calif, tennis player (Virginia Slims of SD, 1986)
1969 - Sean Maye, 400m/800m runner
1969 - Todd Lewis, Flint Michigan, 10k runner
1969 - Sissel Kyrkjebø, Norwegian singer
1970 - Carlos Yancy, NFL cornerback (NE Patriots)
1970 - Glenn Medeiros, singer (Someday Love)
1971 - LaMonte Coleman, NFL fullback (Pitts Steelers)
1971 - Christopher Showerman, American actor
1972 - Jose Simon, WLAF defensive tackle (Barcelona Dragons)
1972 - Mitch Berger, punter (Minnesota Vikings)
1972 - Shawn King, NFL defensive end (Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers)
1972 - Robbie McEwen, Australian cyclist
1972 - Denis Zvegelj, Slovenian rower
1973 - Jere Lehtinen, Espoo Fin, NHL right wing (Dallas Stars, Oly-bronze-98)
1973 - Michael Cheever, corner (Jacksonville Jaguars)
1973 - Alexander Beyer, German actor
1973 - Ji Jin Hee, South Korean actor
1974 - Adam Treu, guard/tackle (Oakland Raiders)
1974 - Carrie Zarse, Chicago Il, diver (Olympics-96)
1975 - Carla Gallo, American actress
1975 - Marek Malik, Czech ice hockey player
1976 - Tyce Routson, Bellevue Wash, diver (Olympics-96)
1976 - Louisa Leaman, English author
1977 - Cliff Bayer, NYC, fencer-foil (Olympics-96)
1977 - Dimosthenis Dikoudis, Greek basketball player
1977 - Cas Jansen, Dutch actor
1978 - Pantelis Kafes, Greek footballer
1978 - Shunsuke Nakamura, Japanese footballer
1978 - Ariel Pink, American musician
1978 - Juan Román Riquelme, Argentine footballer
1978 - Erno "Emppu" Vuorinen, Finnish guitarist (Nightwish)
1978 - Luis García, Spanish footballer
1979 - Craig Shergold, British internet folklore subject
1979 - Petra Němcová, Czechoslovakian-born model
1979 - Mindy Kaling, American actress and TV producer
1980 - Kelly Dutra, Miss Rhode Island Teen USA (1996)
1980 - Cicinho, Brazilian footballer
1980 - Liane Balaban, Canadian actress
1980 - Andrew Jones, Australian racing driver
1980 - Minka Kelly, American actress
1982 - Brian Fitzgerald, American writer
1982 - Kevin Nolan, English footballer
1982 - Mark Penney, Canadian film director
1982 - Jarret Stoll, Canadian ice hockey player
1982 - Clint Bajada, Maltese television and radio presenter
1983 - John Lloyd Cruz, Filipino Actor
1984 - J.J. Redick, American basketball player
1985 - Kyle Searles, American actor
1985 - Yukina Shirakawa, Japanese gravure idol
1986 - Kaitlin Cullum, LA Calif, actress (Libby Kelly-Grace Under Fire)
1986 - Stuart Broad, English cricketer
1986 - Phil Hughes, American baseball player
1986 - Solange Knowles, American singer
1987 - Arturo Lupoli, Italian footballer
1987 - Lionel Messi, Argentine footballer
1990 - Michael Del Zotto, Canadian ice hockey player
1993 - Primera, an Andean condor, hatched at Cleve Zoo, 5th born in captivity
