Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Breaking News from Fox

Report: Air marshal shoots threatening passenger onboard plane
Passenger in Miami reportedly claimed to have bomb in bag, ran onto jetway before being shot.

Apparently, the Marshals are reporting that he ignored warnings to lie on the ground, and advanced towards the air marshals before reaching into the bag, at which point the Marshal fired.

posted by Pam @ 3:36 PM |

Images of Infamy

Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii
Aerial photograph, looking east, with Hickam Army Air Field in center and Honolulu beyond, 13 October 1941. The Pearl Harbor Navy Yard is in the left-center, and Ford Island is at the far left. Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

USS Arizona (BB-39) sunk and burning furiously, 7 December 1941. Her forward magazines had exploded when she was hit by a Japanese bomb. At left, men on the stern of USS Tennessee (BB-43) are playing fire hoses on the water to force burning oil away from their ship. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Sailors in a motor launch rescue a survivor from the water alongside the sunken USS West Virginia (BB-48) during or shortly after the Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor. USS Tennessee (BB-43) is inboard of the sunken battleship. Note extensive distortion of West Virginia's lower midships superstructure, caused by torpedoes that exploded below that location. Also note 5"/25 gun, still partially covered with canvas, boat crane swung outboard and empty boat cradles near the smokestacks, and base of radar antenna atop West Virginia's foremast. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

USS Maryland (BB-46) alongside the capsized USS Oklahoma (BB-37). USS West Virginia (BB-48) is burning in the background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

The forward magazine of USS Shaw (DD-373) explodes during the second Japanese attack wave. To the left of the explosion, Shaw's stern is visible, at the end of floating drydock YFD-2. At right is the bow of USS Nevada (BB-36), with a tug alongside fighting fires. Photographed from Ford Island, with a dredging line in the foreground. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

The wrecked destroyers USS Downes (DD-375) and USS Cassin (DD-372) in Drydock One at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, soon after the end of the Japanese air attack. Cassin has capsized against Downes. USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) is astern, occupying the rest of the drydock. The torpedo-damaged cruiser USS Helena (CL-50) is in the right distance, beyond the crane. Visible in the center distance is the capsized USS Oklahoma (BB-37), with USS Maryland (BB-46) alongside. Smoke is from the sunken and burning USS Arizona (BB-39), out of view behind Pennsylvania. USS California (BB-44) is partially visible at the extreme left. This image has been attributed to Navy Photographer's Mate Harold Fawcett. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

PBY patrol bomber burning at Naval Air Station Kaneohe, Oahu, during the Japanese attack. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Aerial view of "Battleship Row" moorings on the southern side of Ford Island, 10 December 1941, showing damage from the Japanese raid three days earlier.
In upper left is the sunken USS California (BB-44), with smaller vessels clustered around her.
Diagonally, from left center to lower right are:
USS Maryland (BB-46), lightly damaged, with the capsized USS Oklahoma (BB-37) outboard. A barge is alongside Oklahoma, supporting rescue efforts.
USS Tennessee (BB-43), lightly damaged, with the sunken USS West Virginia (BB-48) outboard.
USS Arizona (BB-39), sunk, with her hull shattered by the explosion of the magazines below the two forward turrets. Note dark oil streaks on the harbor surface, originating from the sunken battleships. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

"Remember Dec. 7th!"
Poster designed by Allen Sandburg, issued by the Office of War Information, Washington, D.C., in 1942, in remembrance of the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. The poster also features a quotation from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: "... we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain ...". Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Center. Donation of Dr. Robert L. Scheina, 1970. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Labels: Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor, photos, US Navy, USS Arizona, USS California, USS Cassin, USS Downes, USS Helena, USS Maryland, USS Oklahoma, USS Shaw, USS Tennessee, USS West Virginia

posted by Pam @ 8:09 AM |

Today in History - Day of Infamy

The forward magazines of USS Arizona (BB-39) explode after she was hit by a Japanese bomb, 7 December 1941.Frame clipped from a color motion picture taken from on board USS Solace (AH-5).Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

The United States of America had been very clear on its position regarding Japanese aggression in Manchuria - Get out. Now. The U.S. (with the U.K.) had imposed a boycott of scrap metal and oil on the Japanese, too. Japan saw one method to deal with the issue. Even while they entered into negotiations, they were planning to attack.

That attack came early in the morning on December 7, 1941. Unfortunately, although the attacking planes were spotted on radar, that system was new, and the planes were thought to be a flight of B-17s due in that day. The radar operator reported the contacts, but was told, "Don't worry about it."

The first wave of planes hit at 7:53 a.m., with Japanese midget subs also on the attack. Just a little over an hour later, the second wave of planes hit. And an hour after that, it was over. At least, the immediate attack was over. By the time the Japanese planes were gone, they had left inconceivable death and destruction in their wake, and turned a harbor in paradise into a war zone - literally.

"I was about three quarters of the way to the first platform on the mast when it seemed as though a bomb struck our quarterdeck. I could hear shrapnel or fragments whistling past me. As I reached the first platform, I saw Second Lieutenant Simonson lying on his back with blood on his shirt front. I bent over him and taking him by the shoulders asked if there was anything I could do. He was dead, or so nearly so that speech was impossible. Seeing there was nothing I could do for the Lieutenant, I continued to my battle station." -- Marine Cpl. E.C. Nightingale, aboard the USS Arizona

2,403 were dead. Nearly 200 American planes were destroyed, and 8 battleships were destroyed or damaged. But Japan had missed the opportunity to hit what they wanted to - the aircraft carriers they saw as the U.S.' most dangerous assets. The Lexington, the Saratoga, and the Enterprise were all away when the attack came. And the U.S., largely reluctant to enter into the conflict raging in Europe, knew one thing - we were at war.

The Americans got a few small pieces of luck in the midst of all the chaos. The fuel oil storage, right next to the harbor, was unscathed. This was, in part, due to the fact that in those days, they were painted an aqua color that made them appear to be pools of water from the air. The submarines were also undamaged.

"With a quick glance to the right, I noticed the Arizona was a mass of flames and one of the AA guns was blasting away. Just about that time a plane was passing by very low and close. I saw the pilot looking over the Arizona, and as he pulled up, I noticed the red ball on the wing. Yes, I could have hit it with a stone if I had one to throw." -- Paul P. Urdzik, aboard the USS Vestal

But Japan had also seriously underestimated the Americans. Most of the Japanese command, many of whom had been educated in the States, believed the Americans would be unable to mobilize for a year or two - unable to replace what had been lost - and by then, Japan would have secured its interests in Asia. They believed they had rendered the Americans powerless to stop them.

They were wrong.

There has been a great deal of discussion in the decades since about what contributed to the attack. If the planes hadn't been parked the way they were. If the sailors hadn't been given a day off after the music competition. If we'd recognized the radar blips for what they were... In hindsight, it's easy to criticize, easy to blame, easy to divert attention from what matters - thousands of American heroes died that day, in an attack that shattered American innocence, and reminded them that war wasn't always far away - it could come right into one's front yard. The outrage, the horror, the undeniable need to strike back, would only be rivaled one other time in American history - on a sunny September morning in 2001.

"The first Japanese plane flew over us about 0755 and banked to the right toward Battleship Row. Just prior to this pass, we had heard large explosions coming from Ford Island. We did observe planes in the air, and to a man questioned the Army flying on Sunday. Very unusual to say the least.
By the time a second plane made a pass, we were at General Quarters, and one of our gunners was fortunate enough to get a direct hit off our starboard quarter. The plane went up in one large ball of fire, and immediately dropped into the water." -- Roy Cella, aboard the USS Sumner

One day after the attacks, this is what Americans heard from their President:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

-- President Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 8, 1941

Fifteen ships were named in honor of Sailors, to pay tribute to the heroism they displayed that horrible day.

Links for more information:
Attack At Pearl Harbor, 1941
Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941 (U.S. Navy website)
Pearl Harbor: Remembered
Wikipedia: Attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor Attack, 1941
December 7, 1941 - Japanese Bomb Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Remembering Pearl Harbor
FDR's "Day of Infamy" Speech
USS Arizona (BB-39)
Air Raid Pearl Harbor
My Story: Pearl Harbor Battleship Row
Days of Infamy: December 7 and 9/11
USS Utah (BB31/AG16)
Pearl Harbor Attack, 1941
Pearl Harbor Documents
Naval Institute: Pearl Harbor
Ginger's Diary (account of a 17-year-old American girl living at Hickam Field, Hawaii, at the time of the Pearl Harbor bombing)
Pearl Harbor Survivors Association
The Pearl Harbor Attack Hearings
USS West Virginia (BB-48)@
TIME Magazine: The Attack on Pearl Harbor
Naval History Magazine: Pearl Harbor - Attack from Below
Japanese Navy Ships -- Midget Submarines
USS California (BB-44)
National Geographic: Expedition Pearl Harbor
The Day After Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor Operations
USS Oklahoma (BB-37)
What the Chaplains Were Doing at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941
Imperial War Museum: Pearl Harbor
USS Arizona Memorial

Pictures from my recent visit to Pearl Harbor:
Pearl Harbor: of Horror and Heroes

posted by Pam @ 7:53 AM |

REFUELING OPERATION — U.S. Marines attach the external lifting gear of a CH-53 helicopter to fuel tanks in preparation for a mission in which Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 refueled tanks and vehicles of 2nd Tank Battalion, in Iraq, Dec. 3, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James D. Hamel

posted by Pam @ 7:51 AM |

In Today's News - Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Quote of the Day
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."
-- Anais Nin

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Court, Saddam fall silent with tale of beatings, electric shocks
Iraqi bloggers dig into Saddam's trial
Saddam Hussein Missing In Action (a.k.a. the Mother of all Hissy Fits)
'Coming Al Qaeda Victory in Iraq' (per al-Zawahiri)
Iraq Hostages: Pull Out of Iraq Now
Baghdad Blast Kills 43; American Possibly Kidnapped
Behind Iraq politicians, an ayatollah holds sway

Operation Enduring Freedom
US says 22 Taliban killed in Afghanistan
Airmen Keep Kandahar Airfield Mission Ready
Soldiers Improve Lines of Communication

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Florida Professor Acquitted on Terror Charges
House Expected to Advance Bill to Beef Up Border Control
Al Qaeda: Target Oil

Pearl Harbor
Event will mark anniversary of Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor memories: Bombs, smoke
Survivors to Mark Pearl Harbor Anniversary

Supreme Court
Justices seem to favor letting recruiters stay on campuses
Officials counter analysis of Alito

U.N. Scandals
Report Details Deficiencies in U.N. Procurement Department

Hurricane Season
GOP Denies Katrina Tax Breaks for Liquor, Gambling
Witnesses: Racial Response

Oddities
Elephants drunk on marula fruit? Study says no way
574-pound man: I'm too fat for prison
Budding rap artist in Ohio kills self with pen gun (Darwin award, anyone?)

Other News of Note
Supreme Court Hears Military Recruitment Case

Fox News
Bush Touts Iraq Policy
Cheney Rallies Troops at Fort Drum
Mother Accused of Putting Infant in Dryer in Murder Try
House Looks to Adopt Detainee Abuse Ban
Officials Knew of Caged Kids Two Years Before Removal
Microsoft Fined $32M
NYSE OK $9B Archipelago Buy; Will Become For-Profit
Castro Calls Jeb Bush 'Fat'
Plane Crashes in Iran; 115 Die
Abused Girl, 11, Center of Right to Life Court Case
Stocks to Watch: Time Warner
SPORTS NEWS AND SCORES

Reuters: Top News
Editor's Choice: 24 Hours in Pictures
Special Report: Global Climate Change
Reuters.com Editor Emily Church blogs from the UN conference in Montreal
Special Report: Global emission controls deal talks
Microsoft to invest $1.7 bln in India
NYSE members approve Archipelago deal
Price charts point gold toward the stars: analysts
Two US fingerprint ID firms unite in $82 mln deal
Avenue A/Razorfish to buy UK's DNA
Likud chairman defects to Sharon's new party
No end to sanctions on "criminal" N.Korea: US envoy
Daughter of US hostage in Iraq appeals for his life
US concerned over Russia's NGO law: Rice
Republican wins US House seat in California
Japan space probe may have missed asteroid samples
Britain grapples with gruesome "honor" crimes
Anger drives Muslim insurgents in Russia's south
Smallpox vaccine triggers few bad reactions-studies

AP World News
Egyptian Police Beat Women Voters
China Tries to Ease Anger at Toxic Spill
Ministers Discuss Crisis Facing Muslims
Observers Say Venezuela Vote Was Fair
British Conservatives Choose Young Leader
Chechen Refugees Return Home From Georgia
U.N. Hits Housing for Evicted Zimbabweans
China Confirms New Human Case of Bird Flu
Austrians Honored for Saving Jews in WWII
Bombing in Israel Stirs Police Debate
Cocoa Industry Is Booming in Ivory Coast
Romania, Poland Scrutinized Over Prisons
Red, Catlike Animal May Be a New Species
U.N. Electoral Chief to Fight Dismissal
Zoos Provide Shelter for Quake Survivors

The Seattle Times
Clemency is rarely dispensed to death row inmates these days
Land-use battle rages in Florida
Bushes' "holiday" card is upsetting for some
Megachurches cancel services on Christmas
Report critical of junk-food ads
Colon-cancer study finds some patients aren't getting chemo
Saturn moon spews icy plumes
China accepting U.S. help with spill
Fuel emptied from reactor at Chernobyl
The luck of the Latvian: A job is like a pot of gold
Illegal migrants had jobs back in Mexico, survey finds

Chicago Sun-Times
Tragedy again strikes NBA star's family
Founder of Crips gang unlikely to get clemency
Upcoming stamp increase won't be enough
Ozone hole worse than thought
Ford drops ads in gay publications, denies pressure
900,000 workers now secret: Government won't say who, where
Indiana high school newspaper's oral sex story draws complaints
Paintings stolen during WWII found
Kansas religious professor beaten after mocking Christian 'fundies'
Jaywalker who got $5 ticket dies of injuries
Odd speed limit may work even better
Deliveryman catches thief who took credit card
Billy Graham's daughter gets probation in domestic abuse case
Fresh new face to lead British Conservatives
Corn-powered heat saves farmer time, money
TV characters should push healthy food, group says
'Goodfellas' mobster gets 180 days in jail
Thatcher's daughter wins TV reality show
Zimbabwe power woes block Mugabe's speech

Boston Globe: World
CIA abduction case ignites controversy
Ex-official charged with rape
EU to rap Iran over nuclear standoff
In Somalia, the hungry wait as militias slow delivery of aid
At least 27 die in dual blasts in Iraq
US military to probe propaganda effort
Bombing prompts Israel to close West Bank, target Islamic Jihad
Motor show a sign of blacks' rising clout in South Africa

Military.com
Bush Rules Out Ransom for Iraq Captives
Military Base in Romania Approved
Officer Shortages Hit Navy Special Forces

CENTCOM: News Releases
SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK POLICE ACADEMY (UPDATE 1)
SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK IRAQI POLICE ACADEMY
UPDATE TO DEC. 1 IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ATTACK
COALITION AND IRAQI FORCES TO SET THE STAGE FOR SAFE AND SECURE ELECTION

Department of Defense
Bush, Cheney Confident in Iraq Strategy - Story
Cheney Praises Troops for Terror War Efforts - Story Video Remarks
Rumsfeld: Agreement Helps U.S., Romania - Story

ON THE GROUND
Kuwait Unit's Efficient Ops Support Troops - Story

FACE OF DEFENSE
Religious Program Specialist Makes History in Iraq - Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Online Forum Tackles Troop Issues - Story

TOP NEWS
IRAQ
Rumsfeld: Report Full Iraq Story
Saddam Nephew Gets Prison Term
Academy Attackers Not Women
U.S. Soldier Killed; Weapons Found
Canal Projects Deliver Water
Casey Attends Election Conference
Ukrainians Provide Military Gear
Rumsfeld: Quitting No Option Video
General Urges Vigilance, Resolve
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
SEDM Approves Afghan Deployment
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Commander Visits Strike Group
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Defense Officials Identify Casualties - Story

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

National Hurricane Center

Today in History
36 BC - Earliest known Mayan inscription, Stela 2 at Chiapa de Corzo.
43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman writer, gets his head and right hand chopped off by Mark Antony's soldiers.
0185 - Emperor Lo-Yang of China sees a supernova (MSH15-52?).
1741 - Elisabeth Petrovna becomes tsarina of Russia.
1783 - William Pitt, Jr. (24) becomes British premier.
1787 - Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the Constitution.
1808 - James Madison is elected as U.S. President
1836 - Martin Van Buren is elected as the 8th U.S. President.
1842 - The New York Philharmonic gives its first concert.
1862 - Battle of Hartsville, TN; Battle of Prairie Grove, AR.
1864 - Skirmish at Ebenezer Creek/Cypress Swamp, GA.
1868 - The Jesse James gang robs a bank in Gallatin MO, killing 1.
1872 - HMS Challenger sets sail on a 3½-year world oceanographic cruise.
1877 - Thomas A. Edison demonstrates the gramophone.
1885 - The 49th U.S. Congress (1885-87) convenes.
1891 - The 52nd U.S. Congress (the first to appropriate $1 billion) holds its first session.
1895 - In the Battle at Amba Alagi, the Abyssinians beat the Italian armies.
1907 - Eugene Corri becomes the first referee in a boxing ring.
1912 - A bust of Queen Nefertiti found in El-Amarna, Egypt
1916 - David Lloyd George replaces resigning H.H. Asquith as British PM.
1917 - The U.S. becomes the 13th country to declare war on Austria (WWI)
1924 - In the German election, the Social Democrats win defeat the Nazis and Communists.
1925 - In NYC, the Biltmore Theater opens at 261 W. 47th ST.
1926 - The gas refrigerator is patented.
1932 - The first gyro-stabilized vessel to cross the Atlantic arrives in New York.
1934 - Wiley Post discovers the jet stream.
1937 - Dutch Minister Romme proclaims married women are forbidden to work.
1940 - In North Africa, General O'Connor leads a British counter offensive.
1941 - The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor; the USS Ward becomes the first U.S. ship to sink a Japanese submarine; Australian bombers land on Timor/Ambon; the German siege of Tobruk ends after 8 months; Nacht and Nebel Erlass, resistance fighters, are sent to German concentration camps.
1944 - The Convention on International Civil Aviation is drawn up in Chicago; General Radescu forms the Romanian government.
1945 - The microwave oven is patented.
1946 - A fire at the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta, kills 119.
1949 - Chiang Kai-shek flees to Taiwan.
1953 - Israel's PM Ben-Gureon retires.
1954 - The Japanese government of Joshida resigns.
1955 - Clement Attlee resigns as chairman of England's Labour Party.
1958 - Rómulo Bétancourt is elected President of Venezuela.
1960 - The Ivory Coast claims independence from France.
1965 - Pope Paul VI and Orthodox Patriarch Athenagoras I simultaneously lift the mutual excommunications that led to the split of the two churches in 1054.
1968 - The Orbiting Astronomical Observatory-2 is launched into Earth orbit; Richard Dodd returns a library book his great grandfather borrowed in 1823 to the University of Cincinatti; the $22,646 fine goes unpaid.
1970 - West Germany and Poland normalize relations.
1972 - Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos is stabbed and wounded by an assailant; Apollo-17, the final U.S. manned lunar landing mission (last of the Apollo Moon series) is launched.
1976 - The U.N. Security Council endorses Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General, for a second five-year term.
1981 - Spain becomes a member of the NATO.
1983 - At the Madrid Airport, two jets collide, killing 93.
1985 - Atlantis returns to Kennedy Space Center via Kelly AFB.
1986 - President Jean-Claude Duvalier flees Haïti.
1987 - 43 die in Pa acific Southwest Airline crash in California, after a man shoots the pilots.
1988 - At the U.N., Mikhail Gorbachev announces 10% unilateral Soviet troop reductions; Yasser Arafat recognizes the existence of Israel; a 6.9 earthquake in Armenia kills more than 100,000, and leaves 5,000,000 homeless.
1990 - The Iraqi parliament endorses Saddam's decision to free hostages.
1992 - The Galileo spacecraft passes the North Pole of Moon (Peary Crater).
1993 - Henri Konan Bédié names himself President of the Ivory Coast.
1994 - Radio personality Howard Stern talks a man out of attempting suicide.
1995 - The U.S. space probe Galileo begins orbiting Jupiter.
1996 - The Space Shuttle STS-80 (Columbia 21) lands.

Birthdays
0967 - Abu Sa'id ibn Aboa al-Chair, Persian mystic
1542 - Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (1560-1587)
1754 - Jack Jouett, American patriot
1761 - Madame (Marie Grosholtz) Tussaud, created wax museum
1808 - Hugh McCulloch, U.S. Secretary of Treasury
1810 - Theodor Schwann, German co-originator of cell theory
1847 - Solomon Schechter, American Talmudic scholar / Jewish leader
1888 - Matthew Heywood Campbell Broun, first president of the American Newspaper Guild; Hamilton Fish, U.S. Congressional leader / isolationist
1901 - A.F. (Tony) Pugsley, British rear-admiral (Walcheren attack - 1944)
1905 - Gerard Kuiper Dutch/US astronomer (discovered moons of Uranus, Neptune)
1915 - Eli Wallach, actor (Magnificent 7, Misfits, People Next Door)
1924 - Mário Soares (Socialist), premier of Portugal (1976-78, 1983- )
1926 - Victor Kermit Kiam II, CEO (Remington shavers) / NFL owner (Patriots)
1928 - Noam Chomsky, linguist (founded transformational grammar)
1936 - Martha Layne Collins, (Governor-KY)
1937 - Thad Cochran (Senator-MS)
1942 - Harry Chapin, folk/rock singer / songwriter (Taxi, Cat's in the Craddle)
1956 - Larry Bird, basketball star (Boston Celtics)

Passings
0983 - Otto II, the Red German king/emperor (973-83)
1254 - Innocent IV (Sinibaldo dei Fieschi), Pope (1243-54)
1383 - Wenceslaus, duke of Brabant
1815 - Michel Ney, French marshal (Waterloo), murdered
1817 - William Bligh, British naval officer of "Bounty" fame
1862 - Sylvester Churchill, Union Brigadier-General
1894 - Ferdinand de Lesseps, French engineer/diplomat/earl
1902 - Thomas Nast, political cartoonist
1912 - George Darwin, theorized Moon was pulled out of Pacific Ocean
1941 - Iida, Japanese pilot/lieutenant, in battle
1970 - Rube Goldberg, American cartoonist (Mike & Ike, Pulitzer 1948)
1979 - Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, first woman full professor at Harvard University; Prince Chahryar Shafik Shah of Iran's nephew, murdered in Paris
1982 - Charlie Brooks, Jr., convicted murderer, first U.S. prisoner to be executed by lethal injection
1983 - Edgar Graham, member of Northern Ireland Assembly, shot dead by the IRA
1985 - Potter Stewart, 94th Supreme Court Justice (1958-81)
1988 - Andrei P. Ershov, Russian computer pioneer
1993 - Félix Houphouet-Boigny, President of the Ivory Coast (1960-93)

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Dunn, John Howard, USMC (MT); F4B shot down (pilot, w/Frederick), released by DRV February, 1973 - deceased, January 1998

Frederick, John William, Jr., USMC (IL); F4B shot down (w/Dunn) - remains returned March, 1974

1966
Carlson, John Werner, USAF (IL); F5C shot down, KIA, body not recovered

posted by Pam @ 6:50 AM |

Iraq War Today is...
...News and photos of Heroes deployed to the Middle East and elsewhere. IWT is dedicated to all of our military Heroes - past, present and future.