The Almanac

Today is Wednesday, May 8, the 128th day of 2002 with 237 to follow.

The moon is waning, moving toward its new phase.

There are no morning stars.

The evening stars are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include Jean Henri Dunant, Swiss founder of the Red Cross Society and a co-founder of the Young Men's Christian Association, in 1828; Harry S Truman, 33rd president of the United States, in 1884; blues guitarist Robert Johnson in 1911; author David Attenborough and comedian Don Rickles, both in 1926 (age 76); boxer Sonny Liston in 1932; actor/singer Rick Nelson in 1940; author Peter Benchley, also in 1940 (age 62); actors David Keith in 1954 (age 48) and Melissa Gilbert in 1964 (age 38); and singer Enrique Iglesias in 1975 (age 27).

On this date in history:

In 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto discovered the Mississippi River.

In 1879, George Selden of Rochester, N.Y., filed for the first patent for an automobile. It was granted in 1895.

In 1945, President Truman officially declared V-E Day, the end of World War II in Europe.

In 1970, the Beatles' final original album -- "Let It Be" -- was released.

In 1972, President Nixon ordered the mining of North Vietnam ports in an effort to force the communists to end the Vietnam War.

In 1984, the Soviet Union declared it would NOT take part in the Los Angeles Olympics, citing fears over security for its athletes.

In 1991, to pressure the government of El Salvador into agreeing to a cease-fire, Salvadoran leftist guerillas sabotaged a power system, leaving the country with half its normal electrical supply.

In 1992, the shuttle Endeavour blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on its first-ever flight.

In 1996, South Africa voted for a new constitution. Its bill of rights included the right to food, housing and education.

In 1998, the tobacco industry reached a settlement with Minnesota and with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. The deal came as the first trial of a state lawsuit against cigarette makers was about to go to the jury.

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