The Almanac

Today is Sunday, Aug. 14, the 226th day of 2005 with 139 to follow.

The moon is waxing. The morning stars are Mercury, Mars, Uranus and Saturn. The evening stars are Neptune, Jupiter, Venus 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 80); actor Alice Ghostley and singer Buddy Greco, both in 1926 (age 79); rock musician David Crosby in 1941 (age 64); comedian Steve Martin in 1945 (age 60); actress Susan Saint James in 1946 (age 59); author Danielle Steele in 1947 (age 58); "The Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson in 1950 (age 55); former basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson in 1959 (age 46); and actress Halle Berry in 1968 (age 37).

On this date in history:

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

In 1900, some 2,000 U.S. Marines joined 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.

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 from the South Carolina school four days later.

In 1996, the Republicans nominated Bob Dole for president to face incumbent Bill Clinton.

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.

In 2003, a massive power failure that spread through Ohio, Michigan and the Northeast, as well as eastern Canada, left some 50 million people in eight states and the province of Ontario without electricity for as long as two days.

Also in 2003, the French Health Ministry said sweltering heat in Europe could be responsible for as many as 3,000 deaths in France.

And, the White House announced the capture of Riduan bin Isomuddin, also known as Hambali, one of the world's most wanted terrorists.

In 2004, Hurricane Charley raked the coast of the Carolinas and moved back ashore at Georgetown, S.C., with 75 mph winds. Meanwhile, Florida, hard hit the day before with more than 30 people reported dead, searched for more victims and assessed damage.

Also in 2004, at least 115 people were reported killed by Typhoon Rananim, the 14th typhoon to hit China this year.

And, Hutu gunmen killed at least 130 Congolese Tutsi refugees at a camp in Burundi where they came for safety from just such assaults.

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