Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe TRUTH, JUSTICE AND WELL-CONSTRUCTED SPANDEX Wonder Woman turns 60 this year. And she still looks terrific. Advertisement To celebrate, artist Alex Ross --- known for his full painted, photo-realistic graphic novels --- will release "Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth" on Nov. 14. The 48-page graphic novel, being published by DC Comics, was written by "Batman: The Animated Series" producer Paul Dini. It's the fourth in a series of books by Ross and Dini that marked the 60th anniversaries of Superman, Batman and Captain Marvel. Proceeds from the book's original art will benefit the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Ross also helped design a Wonder Woman doll that'll accompany Chronicle Books' upcoming "Wonder Woman Masterpiece Edition." OLD IRONSIDES REOPENS "Old Ironsides" -- one of America's most enduring patriotic symbols -- is set to reopen to the public on Thursday amid extra security precautions. The USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, had been closed to tourists in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But the Navy said it was important that tourists again have access to the oak-hulled vessel. "It's part of their country's history, and it's definitely a patriotic symbol for our country and our military," Navy Public Affairs spokesman Petty Officer 2nd Class Peter Robertson told UPI. "It's been enduring in that mission, and it's been loved by the country." Advertisement Extra security measures have been taken to protect the venerable vessel at its berth in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. Tourists will have to pass through a metal detector and have their bags inspected, and tour groups will be limited to no more than 30 at a time. In addition, the hours the ship will be opened to the public have been scaled back. The vessel, launched in 1797, earned its nickname in 1812 in a sea battle against the British vessel, HMS Guerriere, some 600 miles east of Boston. At one point in the battle, shots from the British ship were seen bouncing off the Constitution's oak hull, and someone shouted, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron." (Thanks to UPI's Dave Haskell in Boston) REASONS TO CELEBRATE TODAY: THURSDAY: Today through Nov. 14 is Pursuit of Happiness Week. This is Abet and Aid Punsters Day. It's also Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day. (Web site: wellcat.com) Today is Merchant Sailing Ship Preservation Day. On this date in 1941, the whaler Charles W. Morgan arrived at Mystic, Conn., to be restored, marking the beginning of the modern era of preserving merchant sailing ships. And this is National Ample Time Day. Advertisement (Thanks to Chase's 2001 Calendar of Events) BY THE WAY... "Gone With the Wind" author Margaret Mitchell was born on this date in 1900. How many other novels did she write? None. "Gone With the Wind" was Mitchell's only book.
