A Blast From The Past

Today is Dec. 13.

Abel Tasman of the Dutch East India Co. became the first European to see New Zealand on this date in 1642. However, Maori warriors prevented him from landing. In 1769, Capt. James Cook would land in New Zealand and formally take possession for Great Britain.

It was on this date in 1998 that, in a non-binding plebiscite on Puerto Rico's future, the "none of the above" option was supported by 50 percent of voters -- indicating that most wished the Caribbean island to retain its current status as a U.S. commonwealth.

The first savings bank in the United States, the Provident Institution for Savings, opened in Boston on this date in 1816.

Officials with the Sentry Armored Car Co. in New York City got a shock on this date in 1982 when they discovered the overnight theft of $11 million from their headquarters. It was the biggest cash heist in U.S. history.

Ricky Ray, one of three hemophiliac brothers barred from attending a Florida school because they were HIV-positive, died on this date in 1992. He was 15. The plight of the Ray brothers touched the hearts of Americans --- especially at one point when a fire was set at the family's home. The boys had become infected during a time when blood products were not yet being tested for the AIDS virus.

We now return you to the present, already in progress.