The Almanac

Today is Thursday, Aug. 14, the 226th day of 2003 with 139 to follow.

The moon is waning.

The morning stars are Venus, Mars, Saturn and Uranus. The evening stars are Mercury, Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto.

Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include pioneer psychologist Richard von Krafft-Ebing in 1840; naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton in 1860; writer Ernest Thayer ("Casey at the Bat") in 1863; English novelist John Galsworthy in 1867; writer Russell Baker in 1925 (age 78); actor Alice Ghostley and singer Buddy Greco, both in 1926 (age 77); rock musician David Crosby in 1941 (age 62); comedian Steve Martin in 1945 (age 58); actress Susan Saint James in 1946 (age 57); author Danielle Steele in 1947 (age 56); "The Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson in 1950 (age 53); former basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson in 1959 (age 44); and actress Halle Berry in 1968 (age 35).

In 1784, Grigory Shelikhov, a Russian fur trader, founded the first permanent Russian settlement in Alaska on KodiakIsland.

In 1900, 2,000 American Marines joined with European forces to capture Beijing, ending the Boxer Rebellion against the Western presence in China.

In 1935, Congress passed the Social Security Act and President Roosevelt immediately signed it into law.

In 1945, President Truman announced that Japan had accepted terms for unconditional surrender, ending World War II.

In 1966, the unmanned U.S. Orbiter 1 spacecraft began orbiting the moon.

In 1991, the Justice Department accused General Electric of fraud for billing the Pentagon $30 million for the non-existent sale of F-16 parts to the Israeli military.

In 1992, the 13th round of the E.C.-sponsored Yugoslav peace talks ended in stalemate in Brussels, Belgium.

In 1993, Washington, D.C., lawyer Robert Altman was acquitted of charges stemming from the BCCI scandal.

In 1994, the notorious international terrorist known as "Carlos the Jackal" was captured in Sudan. He was extradited to France the next day.

In 1995, following a long legal battle, Shannon Faulkner was admitted to the cadet corps of the previously all-male Citadel. She would resign four days later.

In 1996, the Republicans nominated Bob Dole for president.

In 1999, Texas Gov. George W. Bush placed first in a presidential "straw poll" by Iowa Republicans. Nine of the 10 GOP aspirants took part.

A thought for the day: President Theodore Roosevelt said, "Obedience to the law is demanded as a right; not asked as a favor."