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Sunday, February 19, 2006

Today in History

0197 - Lucius Septimius Severus' army beats Clodius Albinus at Lyon
0356 - Emperor Constantius II shuts all heathen temples
0607 - Boniface III begins his reign as Catholic Pope
1512 - French troops under Gaston de Foix occupy Brescia
1539 - Jews of Tyrnau Hungary (then Trnava Czechoslovakia), expelled
1574 - Spanish troops plunder Krommenie, Wormerveer & Jisp Netherlands
1582 - Francis of Valois becomes Duke of Brabant
1634 - Battle at Smolensk -- Polish king Wladyslaw IV beats Russians
1674 - Netherlands & England sign Peace of Westminster (NYC becomes English)
1797 - 1/3 of papal domain ceded to France
1803 - Congress accepts Ohio's constitution, statehood not ratified till 1953
1807 - British squadron under Admiral Duckworth forces passage of Dardanelles; Vice President Aaron Burr arrested in Alabama for treason; later found innocent
1831 - 1st practical US coal-burning locomotive makes 1st trial run, Pennsylvania
1846 - Texas state government formally installed in Austin
1856 - Tin-type camera patented by Hamilton Smith, Gambier, OH
1859 - Dan Sickles is acquitted of murder on grounds of temporary insanity -- 1st time this defense is successfully used
1861 - Russian Tsar Alexander II abolishes serfdom
1864 - Knights of Pythias form 1st lodge in Washington DC (12 members)
1869 - US Assay Office in Boise, ID authorized
1878 - Thomas Alva Edison patents the gramophone (phonograph)
1881 - Kansas becomes 1st state to prohibit all alcoholic beverages
1884 - Tornadoes in Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky & Indiana kill 800 people
1900 - British troops occupy Hlangwane, Natal
1906 - W.K. Kellogg & Charles D. Bolin incorporate the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company, in Battle Creek, MI
1913 - 1st prize inserted into a Cracker Jack box; Mexican General V Huerta takes power with US support
1915 - British fleet fires on Dardanellen coast
1919 - Pan-African Congress, organized by W.E.B. Du Bois (Paris)
1920 - Netherlands joins League of Nations
1922 - Ed Wynn becomes 1st talent to sign as a radio entertainer
1927 - General strike against British occupiers in Shanghai
1928 - 2nd Winter Olympics games close at St. Moritz, Switzerland
1929 - Medical diathermy machine 1st used, Schenectady NY
1933 - Prussian minister Göring bans all Catholic newspapers
1934 - US contract air mail service canceled, replaced by US Army for 6 months
1936 - Manuel Azaña becomes Spanish premier
1938 - Soviet arctic ice research station North Pole 1 evacuated
1941 - Nazis raid Koco Amsterdam & round up 429 young Jews for deportation
1942 - FDR orders detention & internment of all west-coast Japanese-Americans; New York Yankees announce 5,000 uniformed soldiers will be admitted free at each of their upcoming home games; About 150 Japanese warplanes attacked the Australian city of Darwin; Japanese troops land on Timor
1943 - German tanks under Brigadier General Buelowius attack Kasserine Pass, Tunesia
1944 - 823 British bombers attack Berlin; U-264 sinks off Ireland
1945 - 900 Japanese soldiers reportedly killed by crocodiles in 2 days; US 5th Fleet (30,000 US Marines) launches invasion of Iwo Jima against the Japanese
1949 - Mass arrests of communists in India
1952 - French offensive at Hanoi
1953 - Georgia approves US 1st literature censorship board; Ted Williams safely crash-lands his damaged Panther jet
1955 - South East Asia Collective Defense Treaty goes into effect
1959 - Gabon adopts its constitution; USAF rocket-powered rail sled attains Mach 4.1 (4970 kph), New Mexico; Britain, Turkey & Greece sign agreement granting Cyprus independence
1960 - Bil Keane's "Family Circus" cartoon strip debuts
1961 - Albania disavows Chinese "Revisionism"
1963 - USSR informs JFK it's withdrawing several thousand troops from Cuba
1969 - 1st Test flight of Boeing 747 jumbo jet
1970 - USSR launches Sputnik 52 & Molniya 1-13 communications satellite
1976 - Frente Polisario forms Democratic Republic of Sahara
1977 - Shuttle Enterprise makes 1st test flight atop a 747 jetliner
1980 - Eric Heiden skates Olympics record 1000 meter in 1 15.18
1981 - George Harrison is ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for "subconscious plagiarism" "My Sweet Lord" with "He's So Fine"
1982 - Hanneke Jelgersma (Jagersma?) installed as Netherlands' 1st Communist mayor
1984 - 1st brother combo to win Gold & Silver in same event at the Olympics (Phil & Steve Mahre-Slalom); 14th winter Olympics games close at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia
1985 - 150 killed when a Spanish jetliner crashed approaching Bilbao, Spain; Canned & bottled Cherry Coke introduced by Coca-Cola; Mickey Mouse welcomed in China
1986 - US Senate ratifies UN's anti-genocide convention, 37 years later; USSR launches Mir space station into Earth orbit; Jordanian King Hussein severs ties with PLO
1987 - Minnesota sheriff office arrest FBI most wanted, Thomas G. Harrelson; Reagan lifts trade boycott against Poland
1990 - Police kill 8 demonstrators for multi party system in Nepal; Soyuz TM-9 lands
1997 - FCC makes available 311 for non-emergency calls & 711 for hearing or speech-impaired emergency calls
1998 - Soyuz TM-26 lands; US hockey team destroys their rooms at Olympics village in Japan

Birthdays
0003 - Sadiq Hidajat, Persian writer (Blind Person Owl)
1473 - Nicolaus Copernicus Torún, astronomer (heliocentrism)
1588 - Pieter de Carpentier, Flemish Governor-General of Dutch East-Indies
1611 - Andries de Graeff, mayor of Amsterdam (1657-71)
1683 - King Philip V of Spain (1700-24, 24-46)
1755 - Pieter G. van Overstraten Governor-General of Netherlands-Indies
1817 - Willem III, last male King of Netherlands (1849-90)
1821 - Francis Preston Blair, Jr., (Representative-Missouri)
1827 - Charles Robert Woods, Union Brevet Major General
1859 - Svante August Arhenius, Swedish physicist/chemist (Nobel 1903)
1863 - Augusto Bernardino Leguía y Salcedo, President of Perú (1908, 1919)
1916 - Eddie Arcaro, jockey (1958 Racing Hall of Fame, 2 triple crowns)
1932 - Joseph P. Kerwin, Captain, Med Corps, USN/astronaut (Skylab 2)
1942 - Kenneth R. Kramer (Representative-CO)
1943 - "Mama" Cass Elliot, singer (Mamas & Papas-Monday Monday)
1948 - Byron K. Lichtenburg, astronaut (STS 9, STS 45)
1952 - Rudolfo Neri-Vela, PhD/astronaut (STS 23)
1956 - George David Low, astronaut (STS 32, STS 43)
1960 - Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward, of Britain/Duke of York
1989 - Baby orangutan at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle WA

Passings
0197 - D. Clodius Septimus Albinus, Roman bequest in England, dies in battle
1260 - Boniface of Lausanne, Belgian bishop/saint, dies
1401 - William Sawtree, 1st English religious martyr, burned in London
1414 - Thomas Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury/chancellor of England, dies
1864 - William Edwin Baldwin, US Confederate Brigadier-General
1965 - Gheorge Gheorghiu Dej, Romanian President , dies at 63
1967 - Wilmer King, 1st casuality on Tappan Zee Bridge in New York
1970 - Ralph Edward Flanders (Senator-VT), dies at 89
1986 - James O. Eastland (Senator-MS), dies at 81
1993 - Gerhard Gesell, judge (Pentagon Papers), dies of liver cancer at 82
1994 - Georges Watin, Algerian/French officer (OAS), dies at 71
1996 - Grant Sawyer, US politician, dies at 76
1997 - Deng Xiaoping head of the Chinese Communist Party, dies at 92

Reported Missing in Action
1968
The following US Army and US Army SF personnel reported MIA when their UH1H was shot down:
Dye, Melvin C. (MI); engineer

Glover, Douglas J., SF (NY); passenger

Griffith, Robert S., (GA); door gunner

Also reported MIA this day in 1968:
Uplinger, Barton John, USMC (CA); CH53A shot down - remains returned February, 1968

1969
Sweeney, Jon M., USMC; released in Hanoi August, 1970

1971
Hull, James Larry, USAF (TX); O2A shot down, KIA, body not recovered

10 U.S. Service Members Killed in Chopper Crash, Military Says


Military Confirms 10 Dead in African Chopper Crash
Sunday, February 19, 2006

NAIROBI, Kenya — The U.S. military says 10 U.S. troops died in a helicopter crash last week off the coast of Djibouti.

Two people survived the accident involving two helicopters. Officials have not said what caused the crash, which occurred during a nighttime training mission.

Full Story - from Fox News

Our hearts are with the families, friends, and comrades of these fallen heroes.

by Petty Officer 2nd Class Katrina Beeler
February 17, 2006
Staff Sgt. James Dettloff, from the 4th Infantry Division, hands out a humanitarian aid bag to an Iraqi pilgrim, who is traveling from Haswah to the Muslim holy city of Karbala.

Making the Terrorists Pay...Literallly

Wounded Soldier, Widow Awarded $102.6 million
Sunday, February 19, 2006

SALT LAKE CITY — A soldier wounded in Afghanistan and the widow of his slain comrade were awarded a $102.6 million judgment from the estate of a suspected Al Qaeda financier.

U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell said the lawsuit may be the first filed by an American soldier against terrorists under the Patriot Act.

But Sgt. Layne Morris, of West Jordan, and the family of medic Christopher Speer, could have a difficult time collecting their award, because the assets of the suspected financier are unknown.

Other soldiers have difficulty identifying their attackers, making it difficult to hold individuals responsible...

Read the rest at Fox News
USS ANNAPOLIS — Crew members remove a shore power cable from the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Annapolis in preparations to depart the pier following a routine port visit to Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, Feb. 16, 2006. The Annapolis is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley

In Today's News - Sunday, February 19. 2006

Quote of the Day
"What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love . . . Give it the best there is in you . . . Seize your opportunities And be a member of the team. In no country but America, I believe, is it possible to fulfill all four of these requirements."
-- Benjamin F. Fairless

News of Note
Philippino Landslide
What They Need Is a Miracle
Rescue efforts in the Philippines
Mass burials begin in Philippine landslide tragedy
Philippine Rescue Teams Find More Bodies

Operation Iraqi Freedom
GI Among 20 Killed in Iraq
4 Iraqi Truck Drivers Killed in Ambush

Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghan President Warns Against Meddling

Other Military News
10 Troops Accounted for After U.S. Chopper Crash

NSA Eavesdropping
Court should monitor Bush spy program: Roberts

Cartooning Muhammad
Cartoon Protests Continue as Nigeria, Libya See 26 Dead
Cleric offers Danish cartoon bounty (Gotta love Chris Muir's response, in the Feb. 18th "Day by Day")
Islamic protesters damage US embassy in Jakarta
Libya Suspends Official After Deadly Riots
At Least 15 Die in Nigeria Cartoon Protest

Hamas Rising
Israel to Freeze Palestinian Money Transfers
Hamas takes over Palistinian parliament.
Olmert talks tough on Hamas, waters down restrictions
Israeli Cabinet OKs Economic Sanctions
2 Killed in Israeli Aircraft Attack

Worldwide Wackos
West may have to live with low-level Iranian atom work
EU to make new nukes appeal to Iran as rift deepens
Chirac: France's Stance on Iran Unchanged
Suicide Bombers Warn U.S., U.K. of Attacks

Politics
Bush urges steps to revive nuclear reprocessing

XX Winter Olympics
U.S. Makes Olympic History
LATEST OLYMPIC RESULTS (Fox News)
Italian police raid Austrian team
Full Coverage (From Reuters)

Fox News
Tour Bus Crashes in Oklahoma, Killing Child
Amsterdam's Red Light District Has Open House
Jackpot! - Single winning Powerball ticket sold
(winning ticket came from Lincoln, NE, dammit)
Calif., Mo. at Risk for New Orleans-Style Flooding
First Bird Flu Case in India
NOLA Gets Down - Larger Mardi Gras Crowds in U.S.
Reporter's Notebook: The Ugly, the Bad, and the Good
FULL SPORTS COVERAGE

Reuters: Top News
Fugitives caught in New Mexico with munition stash
Mardi Gras rolls on in storm-weary New Orleans
St. Louis, Sacramento face flood danger: experts
Astronomers get shortlist of possible ET addresses
Cat parasite a danger to otters - study
India suspects human death from H5N1 - Play Video
Japan successfully places satellite into orbit
Digital options lighten load for tourists
Mobile operators set sights on last frontier
Side effect focus seen slowing approvals
Boardroom attitude: Directors get tough
RadioShack under pressure after CEO admission
Vioxx jury says Merck not liable in death
AIG ends relationship with Greenberg's Starr Tech
U.S. Vioxx jury says Merck not liable in death

AP World News
Nigeria Militants Threaten Oil Tankers
Blast at Indian Railway Station Injures 13
American: Haiti Leader Must 'Perform'
Congo Leader Signs Postwar Constitution
Muscle-Flexing Regions Show Divided Spain
Nepal's Communist Rebels Call for Strike
Japan: Blackmail Led to Official's Suicide
Sabbatini Stays in Control at Riviera

Military.com
Former Captain Rules Center Ring
Rumsfeld: US Will not Close Gitmo
Hospital Discharges Man Shot by Cheney
Bombs Kill U.S. Soldier, 6 Iraqis

CENTCOM: News Releases
TWO AIF KILLED, TWO DETAINED, MULTIPLE EXPOLSIVES DISCOVERED BY ‘STRIKE' BRIGADE

REAGAN CARRIER STRIKE GROUP ENTERS FIFTH FLEET

Department of Defense
U.S. Must Adapt in Public Opinion Battle - Story
10th Combat Aviation Assumes Mission - Story
Forces Destroy Bombs, Find Weapons - Story
Bush Says Democracy Will Yield Peace - Story
Iraq Troop Levels Must be Balanced Carefully - Story
Pace Highlights Progress in Afghanistan, Iraq - Story

ON THE GROUND
U.S. Troops Deliver Wheelchair to Disabled Girl - Story
Airborne’s Sports Map Promotes Camaraderie - Story
LAPD Detective Trains Marines to Combat IEDs - Story

IN IRAQ
Iraqi Police Hand Out Donated School Supplies
Cadets First Graduates of Year-Long Training

IN AFGHANISTAN
10th Mountain Troops Join 'Team Paktika'
Task Force Devil Four-Mile Run Boosts Morale

FACE OF DEFENSE
Radiologist Started Career as Tuskegee Airman - Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Rumsfelds Praise Volunteers - Story
Ringmaster Supports Troops - Story

Group Sews for Wounded Troops
Cooks Sizzle Up Steaks for Troops
Rockie Lynne's ASY Musical Tribute

TOP NEWS
IRAQ
Troops Foil Bombing, Uncover Plot
Iraqi Ops More Independent Video
Forces Detain 106, Find Weapons
Casey: Certification Critical
4 Insurgents Killed, 16 Detained
Images Could Harm U.S. Troops
Air Strike Destroys Bunker
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (pdf)
Multinational Force Iraq
Eye on Iraq Update (pdf)
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (pdf)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Engineers Attend Workshop
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Forces Bolster Maritime Security
Hospital's War is Against Death
Program Yields Counterterror Tools
Army Modernizes to Win Long War
'Gitmo' Detainees Being Held Legally
Rice Topic: Spreading Democracy
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
All 'Accounted For' After Helo Crash
Sailors, Marines Help Victims
Web Special: Iwo Jima
Flexibility Needed to Fight Terror
Helicopters Crash Off Horn of Africa
Navy Reacts to Philippine Disaster
Bush Sends Supplemental Request
Exercise Africa Endeavor Planned
National Guard, Reserve Update

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

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