The Almanac

Today is Thursday, July 4, the 185th day of 2002 with 180 to follow.

This is Independence Day, Americaâ?(TM)s 226th birthday.

The moon is waning in its last quarter.

The morning stars are Mercury, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

The evening stars are Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Pluto.

Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include author Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1804; songwriter Stephen Foster in 1826; circus operator James Bailey in 1847; Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States, in 1872; newspaper cartoonist Rube Goldberg in 1883; Louis B. Mayer, film mogul and co-founder of MGM, in 1885; actor/politician George Murphy in 1902; conductor Mitch Miller in 1911 (age 91); Ann Landers, advice columnist, in 1918; her twin, also an advice columnist, Abigail Van Buren in 1918 (age 84); former hotel executive Leona Helmsley in 1920 (age 82); actress Eva Marie Saint in 1924 (age 78); playwright Neil Simon in 1927 (age 75); actress Gina Lollobrigida in 1928 (age 74); Al Davis, Oakland Raiders owner, in 1929 (age 73); New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner in 1930 (age 72); TV reporter Geraldo Rivera in 1943 (age 59); and former tennis player Pam Shriver in 1962 (age 40).

1826 - Stephen Foster (composer of about 200 songs including: Oh! Susannah, Camptown Races, Old Folks at Home [Swanee River], Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair, Beautiful Dreamer)

On this date in history:

In 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming U.S. independence from Britain.

In 1826, in one of historyâ?(TM)s notable coincidences, former Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died, 50 years to the day after they signed the Declaration of Independence.

In 1863, Union troops defeated Confederate forces in a battle at Vicksburg, Miss.

In 1895, the poem â??America the Beautiful,â? by Wellesley College Professor Katherine Lee Bates, was first published.

In 1986, more than 250 sailing ships and the United Statesâ?(TM) biggest fireworks display honored the Statue of Liberty in its 100th birthday year.

In 1992, a scientist set an underwater living record at a submerged hotel in a Key Largo, Fla., lagoon.

In 1993, President Clinton visited Davenport, Iowa, in the first of four visits to the flood-ravaged Midwest.

In 1994, Brazilâ?(TM)s soccer team eliminated the United States from World Cup competition, 1-0.

Also in 1994, French forces in Rwanda established a security zone for refugees.

In 1995, the British Parliament reconfirmed John Majors as prime minister.

In 1997, NASAâ?(TM)s Pathfinder landed on Mars to become the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the Red Planet in more than two decades.

Also in 1997, Mexicoâ?(TM)s top drug lord died following plastic surgery in a Mexico City hospital to change his appearance.

In 1999, top-seeded Pete Sampras won his 6th Wimbledon menâ?(TM)s singles title, defeating fellow American Andre Agassi. Third-seeded American Lindsay Davenport defeated 7-time winner Steffi Graf to net her first womenâ?(TM)s singles title.

A thought for the day: President Coolidge reportedly said, â??If you donâ?(TM)t say anything, you wonâ?(TM)t be called upon to repeat it.â?