TODAY IN HISTORY-FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2011

Today is Friday, March 4, the 63rd day of 2011. There are 302 days left in the year.

Today in History:  Highlight in History:  On March 4, 1861, Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office as the 16th president.   AP Photo
On this date in: 1681 England's King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn for an area of land that later became Pennsylvania. 1789 The Constitution went into effect as the first Congress met in New York City. 1791 Vermont became the 14th state. 1837 The Illinois state legislature granted a city charter to Chicago. 1913 Woodrow Wilson was sworn as the 28th president of the United States. AP Photo 1917 Republican Jeanette Rankin of Montana took her seat as the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd president, pledging to lead the country out of the Great Depression. Roosevelt: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Read the original AP story AP Photo 1952 Actors Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis were married in North Hollywood, Calif. 1987 President Ronald Reagan addressed the nation on the Iran-Contra affair, acknowledging his overtures to Iran had "deteriorated" into an arms-for-hostages deal. 1989 Time Inc. and Warner Communications Inc. announced plans to merge. 1997 President Bill Clinton barred spending federal money on human cloning.  Read the original AP story 1999 Retired Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun died at age 90.		Today's Birthdays: Texas Gov. Rick Perry turns 61 years old today. AP Photo/Eric Gay Name Profession Age Paula Prentiss Actress 73 Bobby Womack R&B singer 67 Chris Squire Rock musician (Yes) 63 Emilio Estefan Musician (Miami Sound Machine) 58 Catherine O'Hara Actress 57 Patricia Heaton Actress ("The Middle," "Everybody Loves Raymond") 53 Stacy Edwards Actress ("Chicago Hope") 46 Chaz Bono (formerly Chastity Bono) Son of Sonny and Cher 42 Landon Donovan Soccer player 29 Whitney Port TV personality ("The Hills") 26 Andrea Bowen Actress ("Desperate Housewives") 21 Actor Steven Weber turns 50 years old today. AP Photo/Peter Kramer

Thought for Today: "I do not understand the world, but I watch its progress." — Katherine Anne Porter, American author (1894-1980).

“A Prayer Of Thankfulness For Adoption”

Father, we thank You that according to Your pleasure and good will You chose to adopt us, to make us Your sons and daughters through Christ Jesus.  We were predestined to receive this tremendous blessing and so we say, “Thank You!”  May our lives along with our message bring honor to You whose name we bear as we go forth into the lost world where the vast majority needs to hear the message of salvation.  They need to know that they are loved and cared for.  We want to be Your hand extended to those who are hungry and looking for the answers we have found as Your sons and daughters.  We give praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen