Sunday, May 20, 2012

TODAY IN HISTORY

Today is Sunday, May 20, the 141st day of 2012. There are 225 days 
AP Highlight in History:
On May 20, 1961, a white mob attacked a busload of Freedom Riders in Montgomery, Ala., prompting the federal government to send in U.S. marshals to restore order.

AP Photo
On this date in:
1861North Carolina voted to secede from the Union.
1861The capital of the Confederacy was moved from Montgomery, Ala., to Richmond, Va.
1902The United States ended a three-year military presence in Cuba as the Republic of Cuba was established.
1927Charles Lindbergh took off for Paris from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, N.Y., aboard the Spirit of St. Louis on the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
1932Amelia Earhart took off from Newfoundland for Ireland to become the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
1939Regular trans-Atlantic air service began as a Pan American Airways plane took off from Port Washington, N.Y., bound for Europe.
1969U.S. and South Vietnamese forces captured Apbia Mountain, referred to as Hamburger Hill by the Americans, following one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.
1971The album "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye was released.
1989Comedian Gilda Radner died of cancer at age 42.
1993The final first-run episode of "Cheers" aired on NBC.
1995President Bill Clinton announced that the two-block stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House would be permanently closed to traffic as a security measure.
1996The Supreme Court struck down a Colorado measure banning laws that protect homosexuals from discrimination.
2002East Timor became an independent nation.
2006San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds tied Babe Ruth for second place on the career list with his 714th home run.
2009Suspended NFL star Michael Vick was released after 19 months in prison for running a dogfighting ring.
Video
Highlights of This Day in History
Today's Birthdays:
Singer-actress Cher turns 66 years old years old today.

AP Photo/Peter Kramer
NameProfessionAge
Bud GrantHall of Fame football coach85
Joe CockerRock singer68
Dave ThomasActor, comedian (SCTV)63
Michael CrapoU.S. senator, R-Idaho61
David PatersonFormer governor of New York58
Ron ReaganSon of former President Ronald Reagan54
Bronson PinchotActor53
Nick HeywardRock singer (Haircut 100)51
David WellsBaseball player49
Mindy CohnActress ("The Facts of Life")46
Timothy OlyphantActor ("Deadwood")44
Busta RhymesRapper40
Actor Matt Czuchry ("The Good Wife") turns 35 years old today.

AP Photo/Evan Agostini

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