Today in History

Today is Tuesday, April 30, the 120th day of 2013. There are 245 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On April 30, 1973, President Richard Nixon announced the resignations of top aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst and White House counsel John Dean, who was actually fired.

On this date:

In 1789, George Washington took office in New York as the first president of the United States.

In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for 60 million francs, the equivalent of about $15 million.

In 1812, Louisiana became the 18th state of the Union.

In 1863, the design of the Great Seal of the Confederate States of America was approved by the Confederate Congress.

In 1900, engineer John Luther "Casey" Jones of the Illinois Central Railroad died in a train wreck near Vaughan, Miss., after staying at the controls in a successful effort to save the passengers.

In 1938, a precursor to the cartoon character Bugs Bunny first appeared in the Warner Bros. animated short "Porky's Hare Hunt."

In 1939, the New York World's Fair officially opened with a ceremony that included an address by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 1945, as Russian troops approached his Berlin bunker, Adolf Hitler committed suicide along with his wife of one day, Eva Braun.

In 1968, New York City police forcibly removed student demonstrators occupying five buildings at Columbia University.

In 1983, blues singer and guitarist Muddy Waters died in Westmont, Ill., at age 68.

In 1988, Gen. Manuel Noriega, waving a machete, vowed at a rally to keep fighting U.S. efforts to oust him as Panama's military ruler.

In 1993, top-ranked women's tennis player Monica Seles was stabbed in the back during a match in Hamburg, Germany, by a man who described himself as a fan of second-ranked German player Steffi Graf. (The man, convicted of causing grievous bodily harm, was given a suspended sentence.)

Ten years ago: International mediators presented Israeli and Palestinian leaders with a new Middle East "road map," a U.S.-backed blueprint for ending 31 months of violence and establishing a Palestinian state. Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD' ah-BAHS') took office as Palestinian prime minister. The U.S. Navy withdrew from its disputed Vieques bombing range in Puerto Rico, prompting celebrations by islanders.

Five years ago: The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for a seventh straight time, reducing the federal funds rate a quarter-point to 2 percent. An avalanche in Italy's northwestern Alps killed five French ski-mountaineers.

One year ago: President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, meeting at the White House, decried aggressive acts from North Korea, including a recent failed rocket launch, and vowed to maintain a unified front against such provocations. A ferry carrying more than 300 people capsized in a river in northeast India, killing some 100 people and leaving about as many missing.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Cloris Leachman is 87. Singer Willie Nelson is 80. Actor Burt Young is 73. Singer Bobby Vee is 70. Movie director Allan Arkush is 65. Actor Perry King is 65. Singer Merrill Osmond is 60. Movie director Jane Campion is 59. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is 54. Actor Paul Gross is 54. Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas is 52. Country musician Robert Reynolds (The Mavericks) is 51. Actor Adrian Pasdar is 48. Rapper Turbo B (Snap) is 46. Rock musician Clark Vogeler is 44. Rhythm-and-blues singer Chris "Choc" Dalyrimple (Soul For Real) is 42. Rock musician Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down) is 42. Country singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson is 42. Actress Lisa Dean Ryan is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Akon is 40. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees) is 40. Actor Johnny Galecki is 38. Singer-musician Cole Deggs (Cole Deggs and the Lonesome) is 37. Actor Kunal Nayyar is 32. Rapper Lloyd Banks is 31. Actress Kirsten Dunst is 31. Country singer Tyler Wilkinson (The Wilkinsons) is 29. Actress Dianna Agron is 27.

Thought for Today: "Upper classes are a nation's past; the middle class is its future." — Ayn Rand, Russian-born author (1905-1982).

(Above Advance for Use Tuesday, April 30)

Copyright 2013, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Via Yahoo News!

Today in History

Today is Monday, April 29, the 119th day of 2013. There are 246 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On April 29, 1913, Swedish-born engineer Gideon Sundback of Hoboken, N.J., received a U.S. patent for a "separable fastener" — later known as the zipper.

On this date:

In 1429, Joan of Arc entered the besieged city of Orleans to lead a French victory over the English.

In 1861, the Maryland House of Delegates voted 53-13 against seceding from the Union. In Montgomery, Ala., President Jefferson Davis asked the Confederate Congress for the authority to wage war.

In 1863, newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst was born in San Francisco.

In 1916, the Easter Rising in Dublin collapsed as Irish nationalists surrendered to British authorities.

In 1945, during World War II, American soldiers liberated the Dachau (DAH'-khow) concentration camp. Adolf Hitler married Eva Braun and designated Adm. Karl Doenitz (DUHR'-nihtz) president.

In 1946, 28 former Japanese officials went on trial in Tokyo as war criminals; seven ended up being sentenced to death.

In 1968, the counterculture musical "Hair" opened on Broadway following limited engagements off-Broadway.

In 1974, President Richard M. Nixon announced he was releasing edited transcripts of some secretly made White House tape recordings related to Watergate.

In 1983, Harold Washington was sworn in as the first black mayor of Chicago.

In 1992, rioting resulting in 55 deaths erupted in Los Angeles after a jury in Simi Valley, Calif., acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of almost all state charges in the videotaped beating of Rodney King.

In 1993, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II announced that for the first time, Buckingham Palace would be opened to tourists to help raise money for repairs at fire-damaged Windsor Castle.

In 2011, Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in an opulent ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey.

Ten years ago: The Palestinian parliament approved Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD' ah-BAHS') as prime minister, clearing the final obstacle to the launch of a U.S.-backed "road map" to peace. Pakistani authorities captured Waleed bin Attash, accused of playing a leading role in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Five years ago: Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama angrily denounced his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, for what he termed "divisive and destructive" remarks on race. Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD, died in Burg im Leimental, Switzerland, at age 102.

One year ago: Despite past differences, President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton began a summer fundraising blitz with an event in McLean, Va. An out-of-control SUV plunged more than 50 feet off the side of a New York City highway overpass and landed on the grounds of the Bronx Zoo, killing all seven people aboard, including three children.

Today's Birthdays: Poet Rod McKuen is 80. Actor Keith Baxter is 80. Bluesman Otis Rush is 79. Conductor Zubin Mehta is 77. Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff is 75. Pop singer Bob Miranda (The Happenings) is 71. Country singer Duane Allen (The Oak Ridge Boys) is 70. Singer Tommy James is 66. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., is 63. Movie director Phillip Noyce is 63. Country musician Wayne Secrest (Confederate Railroad) is 63. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is 59. Actor Leslie Jordan is 58. Actress Kate Mulgrew is 58. Actor Daniel Day-Lewis is 56. Actress Michelle Pfeiffer is 55. Actress Eve Plumb is 55. Rock musician Phil King is 53. Country singer Stephanie Bentley is 50. Actor Vincent Ventresca is 47. Singer Carnie Wilson (Wilson Phillips) is 45. Actor Paul Adelstein is 44. Actress Uma Thurman is 43. Tennis player Andre Agassi is 43. Rapper Master P is 43. Actor Darby Stanchfield is 42. Country singer James Bonamy is 41. Gospel/rhythm-and-blues singer Erica Campbell (Mary Mary) is 41. Rock musician Mike Hogan (The Cranberries) is 40. Actor Tyler Labine is 35. Actress-model Taylor Cole is 29. Actor Zane Carney is 28.

Thought for Today: "Human beings are perhaps never more frightening than when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right." — Sir Laurens van der Post, South African author (1906-1996).

(Above Advance for Use Monday, April 29)

Copyright 2013, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Via Yahoo News!

McIlroy makes history at U.S. Open

Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd during the final round of the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club.Rory McIlroy wins U.S. Open title at Congressional by eight shotsMcIlroy leads from start to finish to claim his first major titleHis aggregate of 16-under 268 is a record for the U.S. OpenAustralian Jason Day finishes second on eight-under-par

(CNN) -- Rory McIlroy enjoyed a triumphant march Sunday to his first major title as a two-under-par 69 gave him a eight-shot victory in the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Maryland.

McIlroy's 16-under aggregate of 268 was a record for the U.S. Open, breaking the mark set by Tiger Woods, who was 12-under in winning at Pebble Beach in 2000.

He became only the third player in U.S. Open history to return all four rounds in the 60s and he was the youngest winner of the tournament since the legendary Bobby Jones in 1923.

"The whole week has been incredible," McIlroy said as he lifted the trophy.

"I know how good TIger was at Pebble in 2000 and I went out today to try and emulate him in some way. Augusta was a valuable experience. I knew what I needed to do today to win. I put a few new things into practice and it paid off,"

I know how good TIger was at Pebble in 2000 and I went out today to try and emulate him in some way
--Rory McIlroy

Australian Jason Day closed with a three-under 68 to claim his second straight runner-up spot in a major on eight-under 276, but he never challenged runaway winner McIlroy.

The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland led from start to finish and took an eight-shot advantage into the final round over playing partner YE Yang, the 2009 PGA champion.

McIlroy's victory leaves all four holders of the major titles, South African Louis Oosthuizen who won last year's British Open, Germany's Martin Kaymer, the 2010 PGA champion and South African Charl Schwartzel, who took this year's Masters, under 30 years of age.

McIlroy doubtless settled his own nerves and those of his supporters, who feared a repeat of the disastrous rounds which ended his hopes at last year's British Open and April's Augusta Masters, with a first-hole birdie.

A spectacular approach to the fourth set up a second and extended his lead to double figures on 16-under-par.

His chasers would have been further frustrated by a 15-foot par save on the next and he reached the turn in two-under 34.

But he reserved his very best for the 218-yard 10th, positioned in front of the clubhouse where a huge gallery had gathered.

Yang played first and his approach finished within four feet of the hole. McIlroy with a six-iron bettered that as it rolled to within a few inches of the cup.

"Rory, Rory" was the chant from the crowd as if he was their own and he duly holed out for a birdie.

A dropped shot on the 12th scarcely interrupted his victory procession and he returned to 17-under with a birdie on the par-five 16th.

A three-putt bogey on the 17th was followed by a par on the last, holing a short putt to seal his victory before being embraced by his father Gerry.

Yang bogeyed the last to fall back into a tie for third with American pair Kevin Chappel and Robert Garrigus and England's Lee Westwood on six-under.

Woods, who missed the tournament through injury and has not won a major since the 2008 U.S. Open, sent his congratulations.

"Heck of a performance," Woods said in a statement. "Congrats and well done. Enjoy it. This was an impressive performance."

McIlroy succeeds fellow Northern Ireland golfer Graeme McDowell as U.S. Open champion.

McDowell also closed with a 69 to tie for 11th on two-under and was waiting to applaud his friend and compatriot on to the final green.

CNN

Blaze second-largest in Arizona history

(CNN) -- A fast-moving wildfire that has sent thousands fleeing in eastern Arizona is the second-largest blaze in the history of the state, records show.

The so-called Wallow Fire sweeping through Apache National Forest has burned approximately 389,000 acres, Incident commander Joe Reinarz told reporters Tuesday.

That surpasses the 2005 Cave Creek wildfire previously ranked the second-largest blaze in Arizona history. It scorched 248,310 acres, according to records published on the Southwest Coordination Center regional interagency website.

The Rodeo/Chediski blaze of 2002, which burned 468,638 acres, was Arizona's largest wildfire, officials said.

Unless the low humidity rises and the high winds die down, the current blaze could continue to spread, fire officials warned. The National Weather Service issued a red flag alert for Wednesday along all but the northernmost tip of Arizona's eastern border. The alert puts the area at extreme risk for fire.

The weather service also issued a red flag alert for southwestern and northeastern New Mexico.

The forecast calls for 20 mph winds with gusts of up to 35 mph in Arizona, which could spark spot fires beyond the current containment zone and force the evacuation of more people.

"Further evacuations will come if this does not hold tonight," Reinarz said.

The fire has put 343 structures at risk, however only 10 have been destroyed so far, officials said.

As many as 3,000 additional people were evacuated Tuesday, a Red Cross official said. They join an estimated 2,700 others who've abandoned their homes in eastern Arizona.

U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl and his wife who were forced to leave their cabin in Greer because of the advancing fire, according to CNN affiliate KNXV.

Residents living south of State Highway 260 and east of Greer, including South Fork and parts of Eagar, were told to leave their homes, fire officials said.

Residents of Springerville, which is just north of the evacuation line, have been told they should be prepared to leave their homes.

"We're going to evacuate if they tell us to go," resident Lee Murdock told CNN affiliate KTVK. "There ain't nothing I own that's worth as much as the family."

Murdock said he's moved livestock to the fairgrounds in nearby St. Johns because of the advancing fire.

Meanwhile, firefighters struggled Tuesday to gain advantages over a blaze that produced dense plumes of smoke that were visible from space and thick enough to reduce visibility to less than a mile in some places, according to the National Weather Service.

Spillover smoke from the Arizona blaze disrupted flights and prompted an air quality alert in neighboring New Mexico on Tuesday. The weather service's air quality alert for Wednesday includes most of northwest New Mexico west of Interstate 25 and north of U.S. Highway 60.

New Mexico officials told residents in the town of Luna to be prepared to leave, according to Terri Wildermuth, a spokeswoman for the Incident Management Team overseeing firefighting efforts.

"I'm starting to feel like I've been chain-smoking and all my clothes smell like I've been camping," said CNN iReporter Eric Place, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"Sometimes, not like huge flakes, but little ash particles, are visible."

In Arizona, the Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at a school in Lakeside.

So far, about 75 evacuees have checked into the shelter, said Weldon, though not everyone was expected to stay.

More than 2,000 firefighters are engaged in the fight against the fire, along with 20 helicopters, 141 fire engines, 46 water tenders and eight bulldozers, according to officials.

The blaze remained at 0% containment Tuesday night.

The National Weather Service warned critical fire weather, with low humidity and high winds, would continue at least through Wednesday in Arizona. The National Interagency Fire Center said similar conditions would heighten the risk of fires across the southwest, including Arizona, New Mexico, southeastern Colorado and west Texas.

Including Wallow, there are currently seven active wildfires burning across Arizona, according to InciWeb, an online state-by-state database of fires and other disasters. The Arizona wildfires also include three separate blazes that have consumed 165,017 acres in the Coronado National Forest. One of them has been burning since May 8, according to InciWeb.

CNN's Phil Gast, Dana Ford and Ben Smith contributed to this report.

CNN

Novena Church History

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This church, the Novena Church, that stands in the Singapore area is one of the most beautiful and historic places of the country today. This church is among the world’s most beautifully decorated places. Unlike most churches that are located in Singapore, people in this church pray in front of an iconic representation of the Lady of Perpetual Succour. Many people regard this icon as heavenly and people can be seen kissing the picture and putting flowers in front of it to show their respect for something that they consider heavenly. Many people around the globe do not appreciate iconic representations however it is the belief of most people in Singapore that this figure in fact is a heavenly icon. This church is one of the most renowned churches of the world and the number of people who come to visit it is also very high. People come to this church to seek forgiveness for their wrong doings in the form of confessions. Singapore is one of the very few places in the world where people still go for confession. This church has taken the confession and congregation to a whole different level giving people who come here from around the world spirituality.

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Civil War Changed The History Of United Stated

First shootings of American civil war happened in Fort Sumter on 12th and 13th of April in year 1861. Occupation forces were forced out of the Fort Sumter regions due to these fires. The firing of shots continued for 34 hours but no body died in the exchange of fire. Some deaths of Union Soldiers happened during 34 hours firing but these deaths were not due to exchange of fire with national forces. These soldiers died in an accidental explosion near their cannons.
Earlier, before the start of battle, conditions were very close to siege at Fort Sumter. Fort was going under occupation of Union soldiers. As the harbour of Charleston was controlled from this fort, therefore, 85 Union Soldiers occupying the fort were getting supplies easily.  When President Abraham Lincoln got the power, situation at Fort Sumter turned into a big crisis. On his orders 500 troops raided this fort because the occupying soldiers had refused to surrender. Occupation forces were small in number and they were not well equipped for fighting against invaders; they had to surrender after few days of attack.
Today is 12th April 2011. Day of 12th April has importance because two important incidents of history happened at this day. The first few bullets of American Civil War were fired on 12th April. Also that Soviet Scientists completed their first successful human space mission on 12th April. Two different nations have two different reasons to celebrate the day as a national day of pride. However, Americans are also remembering the memories of their Apollo 11 mission today.

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California Senate Bill Mandates Gay History in Schools

Associated Press

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people would be added to the lengthy list of social and ethnic groups that public schools must include in social studies lessons under a landmark bill passed Thursday by the California Senate.

If the bill is adopted by the state Assembly and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, California would become the first state to require the teaching of gay history.

Supporters say the move is needed to counter anti-gay stereotypes and beliefs that make children in those groups vulnerable to bullying and suicide.

Opponents counter that such instruction would further burden an already crowded curriculum and expose students to a subject that some parents find objectionable.

The legislation, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco, passed on a 23-14 party line vote. It also would add disabled people to the curriculum.

The bill gives school districts flexibility in deciding what to include in the lessons and at what grades students would receive them.

But starting in the 2013-14 school year, it would prohibit districts and the California Board of Education from using textbooks or other instructional materials that reflect adversely on gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

Appealing to colleagues for support, Leno said gay children still struggle routinely with verbal and physical abuse at school, even though society is more accepting than when he was a gay youth in the 1960s.

"We are second-class citizens and children are listening," he said. "When they see their teachers don't step up to the plate when their classmate is being harassed literally to death, they are listening and they get the message that there is something wrong with those people."

Republican Sen. Doug La Malfa of Butte opposed the bill.

"I'm deeply troubled kids would have to contemplate at a very, very early age, when many of us are teaching abstinence ... what is sexuality," he said.

California law already requires schools to cover the contributions to the state and nation of women, African Americans, Mexican Americans, entrepreneurs, Asian Americans, European Americans, American Indians and labor.

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History of the instrument Guitar

Guitar is a musical instrument that has a long frette neck and a wooden soundboard. It has a a flat back with incurved sides. The word guitar during the earlier part of history was used to describe a numerous instruments that were related to guitar. All these instruments emerged on the scene after descending from musical instruments of ancient central Asia and India. If one takes a survey of the musical instruments of these areas, one sees that many related instruments exist in this area including tanbur, setar, and sitar. The most ancient pictoral representation of an instrument with all the essential features of the modern day guitar is on a stone carving that is around three thousand three hundred years old. Today all the different cordophone instruments are referred to as guitar. The word of the English language guitar, same as in German language gitarre, and in the French language guitare, all have their origin in the Spanish word guitarra. This emerged in Spain from the Andalusian Arabic qitara. That too has its origin in the Latin word cithara that emerged form the Ancient Greek kithara. The word has been traced back to the Old Persian language word Tar that refers to string in that language.  Although the word comes form the Persian language, the instrument is not believed to have originated from that part of the wold. It is believed to have been made in the 8th century by the Moors. It is believed that the modern guitar emerged during the sixteenth century. when the vihuelas constructied this instrument. The instrument gained popularity in Europe slowly and steadily and emerged in many different lands around the world giving a new touch to the music of the time. Today it is among the most popular musical instruments for rock and pop groups.

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Agency: Fire could be worst in Texas history

By the CNN Wire Staff STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Texas Forest Service braces for more wildfires SundayNEW: Weather conditions for wildfires could be among the worst ever, agency says. Firefighters battle 18 blazes across the stateA grass fire in Oklahoma forces evacuations (CNN) -- Texas Forest Service officials on Sunday braced for what could be one of the worst days in the state's history for battling wildfires, according to the agency.

Relentless heavy winds and dry weather, according to the Forest Service, could even spawn a rash of wildfires similar to those that swept across the southern plains states on April 9, 2009. Those fires, the agency stated on its website, scorched 147,924 acres, destroyed 111 homes and killed four people.

"Wildfire weather conditions on Sunday could shape up to be among the worst in Texas history," the Forest Service stated.

Strong winds whipped up wildfires across north and west Texas Saturday.

Texas Forest Service spokesman Alan Craft said the group's crews on Saturday battled 18 fires, the largest of which was the Swenson Fire, located in northern Texas.

That blaze burned some 61,500 acres and destroyed at least one home, said Craft. As of late Saturday, the blaze had not been contained, officials said.

The National Weather Service, citing strong winds and relatively low humidity, has issued a red flag warning for the western parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

Elsewhere in the U.S. southwest, a grass fire burning just south of Cleveland, Oklahoma prompted evacuations on Saturday.

As many as 70 firefighters were involved in the response, as well as three helicopters, said Terry Dennis, a spokesman with the Cleveland Fire Department. Twelve families checked into a Red Cross shelter, but more were evacuated, he said.

Dennis said Saturday there had been no reports of injuries.

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Southwest Has History of Triggering FAA Action

"Members of the National Transportation and Safety Board investigating the emergency landing of Southwest Airlines flight 812, carry a portion of the planes fuselage to a waiting vehicle on April 3 in Yuma, Ariz." /

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April Fools Day History

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April fools day is celebrated around the world on the first day of April by playing pranks and jokes on loved ones. The earliest origins of this day appear in the Chaucer’s Canterbury Tale  “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” published around in 1392. Great controversy exists whether this is the first mention of the day. In 1509, a reference to the same day was made by a French poet as poisson d’avril. A Flemish poet by the name Eduard de Dene has written an account of a nobleman who on this very date sent out his servants on many different foolish errands. The first reference o fthe day by the Britishers was made when John Aubrey in the year 1686 called the holiday as “Fooles holy day”.

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